CVE-2014-6965 in FAZ.NET
Summary
by MITRE
The FAZ.NET (aka net.faz.FAZ) application 1.0.1 for Android does not verify X.509 certificates from SSL servers, which allows man-in-the-middle attackers to spoof servers and obtain sensitive information via a crafted certificate.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-6965 affects the FAZ.NET mobile application version 1.0.1 for Android devices, representing a critical security flaw in the application's implementation of secure communications protocols. This issue stems from the application's failure to properly validate X.509 certificates during SSL/TLS connections, creating a significant attack surface that malicious actors can exploit to compromise user data and system integrity. The vulnerability specifically impacts the application's ability to establish trust with remote servers, fundamentally undermining the security model designed to protect sensitive information transmitted over network connections.
The technical flaw manifests as a complete absence of certificate verification mechanisms within the application's SSL implementation, which directly violates established security protocols and best practices for mobile application development. This weakness enables attackers to perform man-in-the-middle attacks by presenting fraudulent certificates that the application accepts without proper validation. The vulnerability falls under CWE-295, which specifically addresses "Improper Certificate Validation," and represents a failure to implement proper certificate pinning or trust validation procedures that are essential for maintaining secure communications. The application's inability to verify certificate chains, issuer information, or cryptographic signatures creates a pathway for attackers to intercept and potentially modify communications between the mobile client and backend servers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it allows attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive user information and potentially manipulate application functionality. Mobile applications that rely on secure communication channels for authentication, data synchronization, or transaction processing become particularly vulnerable when they fail to validate server certificates. Attackers can exploit this weakness to redirect users to malicious servers, capture login credentials, access personal information, or even modify application data in transit. The vulnerability is particularly concerning for applications handling financial data, personal identification information, or confidential communications, as it essentially removes the cryptographic protection that users expect when connecting to secure services.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper certificate validation mechanisms within the application's network communication layer. Organizations should implement certificate pinning techniques to ensure that the application only accepts specific certificates or certificate authorities, preventing attackers from using fraudulent certificates even if they can intercept communications. The solution involves configuring the application to validate certificate chains against trusted root certificates, verify certificate expiration dates, and check certificate signatures against known good certificates. Additionally, implementing proper error handling for certificate validation failures and logging certificate-related events can help detect potential attacks. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers "Phishing for Information," as attackers can leverage the compromised connection to gather sensitive user data, and T1041, which addresses "Exfiltration Over C2 Channel," as the vulnerability enables unauthorized data access and transmission through the compromised secure communication channel.