CVE-2014-6987 in Mass Gaming TV
Summary
by MITRE
The Mass Gaming TV (aka net.massgamers) application 1.0 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 • 09/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-6987 affects the Mass Gaming TV application version 1.0 for Android devices, representing a critical security flaw in the application's implementation of secure communications. 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 targets the certificate verification process, which is fundamental to establishing trust in secure network communications and preventing unauthorized access to sensitive information.
The technical flaw manifests in the application's inability to perform proper certificate chain validation and trust verification when establishing secure connections to remote servers. This weakness allows attackers to perform man-in-the-middle attacks by presenting forged SSL certificates that appear legitimate to the vulnerable application. The absence of certificate pinning, certificate revocation checking, and proper validation of certificate authorities creates an environment where attackers can intercept and manipulate communications between the mobile application and its intended servers. This flaw directly violates established security protocols and best practices for mobile application security, as outlined in industry standards such as CWE-295, which addresses improper certificate validation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, potentially enabling attackers to access sensitive user information, session tokens, and personal data transmitted through the application. Mobile users who rely on the Mass Gaming TV application for accessing gaming content, downloading media, or interacting with online services become vulnerable to various attack vectors including credential theft, data exfiltration, and unauthorized access to premium content or services. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects a gaming application that likely handles user accounts, payment information, and personal preferences, making it attractive to cybercriminals seeking to exploit user trust and access valuable data assets.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically under the T1046 technique for network service scanning and T1566 for credential harvesting through social engineering. The lack of certificate validation creates an environment where attackers can establish false trust relationships with users, potentially leading to further compromise through credential theft or privilege escalation. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including certificate pinning, proper certificate validation mechanisms, and regular security audits of mobile applications. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following OWASP Mobile Top 10 security guidelines, particularly M3 for insecure communication, which directly addresses the need for proper SSL/TLS implementation and certificate validation in mobile applications. Additionally, this issue aligns with NIST SP 800-53 security controls for secure communication and authentication, emphasizing the critical need for robust certificate management and validation processes in mobile application development.