CVE-2014-7012 in Coffee Inn
Summary
by MITRE
The Coffee Inn (aka lt.lemonlabs.android.coffeeinn) application 2.0.1 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 • 09/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-7012 affects the Coffee Inn Android application version 2.0.1, specifically targeting the application's secure communication protocols. This represents a critical security flaw in the mobile application's implementation of Transport Layer Security (TLS) certificate validation mechanisms. The application fails to properly validate X.509 certificates presented by SSL servers during secure connections, creating a significant attack vector for malicious actors. This weakness directly undermines the fundamental security assurances that TLS is designed to provide, making the application susceptible to man-in-the-middle attacks that can compromise user data and system integrity.
The technical flaw manifests in the application's failure to implement proper certificate pinning or validation procedures during SSL/TLS handshakes. When the Coffee Inn application establishes secure connections to its backend servers, it does not verify the authenticity of the presented certificates against trusted Certificate Authorities or implement certificate pinning mechanisms. This allows attackers to intercept communications by presenting fraudulent certificates that appear legitimate to the vulnerable application. The flaw operates at the application layer where cryptographic security controls should enforce certificate validation, creating a gap that adversaries can exploit to establish fraudulent secure connections. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-295 which defines weaknesses in certificate validation and trust management, specifically addressing the absence of proper certificate verification mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception to encompass complete compromise of user privacy and application security. Attackers can exploit this weakness to perform man-in-the-middle attacks, potentially accessing sensitive user information including personal data, login credentials, and any other information transmitted through the application's secure channels. The vulnerability affects all users of the affected application version, creating a widespread security risk across the user base. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the application appears to handle sensitive information through secure connections, making it an attractive target for threat actors seeking to exploit the trust relationship between users and the application. This weakness fundamentally undermines the application's security posture and user confidence in the platform's ability to protect sensitive communications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper certificate validation mechanisms within the application. The recommended approach involves implementing certificate pinning techniques that validate server certificates against a known set of trusted certificates or public keys, rather than relying solely on standard certificate chain validation. The application should enforce strict certificate validation procedures that verify certificate signatures, expiration dates, and issuer information against trusted Certificate Authorities. Additionally, implementing certificate transparency checks and regular security audits of the application's cryptographic implementations can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future versions. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring and anomaly detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of following security best practices for mobile application development and aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to credential access and interception attacks, emphasizing the need for robust cryptographic implementation in mobile environments. The remediation process should include thorough code review and security testing to ensure that all network communication pathways properly implement certificate validation and trust management mechanisms.