CVE-2014-7016 in Mahasna Batik
Summary
by MITRE
The Mahasna Batik (aka com.batik.mahasna) 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.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-7016 affects the Mahasna Batik Android application version 1.0, representing a critical security flaw in the application's handling 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 adversaries 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 communications between mobile applications and remote servers.
The technical flaw manifests in the application's implementation of SSL/TLS security protocols where it bypasses the standard certificate validation mechanisms that should verify the authenticity of server certificates. This omission allows attackers to perform man-in-the-middle attacks by presenting forged certificates that appear legitimate to the vulnerable application. The application's lack of certificate pinning or proper validation routines means that it accepts any certificate presented by a server, regardless of its legitimacy or trustworthiness. This behavior directly violates established security principles and creates an environment where attackers can intercept, modify, or steal sensitive data transmitted between the mobile application and its backend services.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it fundamentally undermines the security model of the application and potentially exposes users to various forms of cyber attacks. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain access to sensitive user information including personal data, login credentials, financial information, or any other data transmitted through the application's secure channels. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects the core security infrastructure of the application, making it impossible for users to trust the authenticity of their connections. This weakness can lead to credential theft, data breaches, financial fraud, and other malicious activities that compromise both individual user privacy and organizational security posture.
Security professionals should address this vulnerability through immediate remediation efforts that include implementing proper certificate validation mechanisms, establishing certificate pinning strategies, and ensuring that all SSL/TLS connections undergo rigorous verification processes. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-295, which addresses improper certificate validation, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege and secure communication practices. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access and defense evasion, as attackers can leverage it to establish persistent access to user accounts and data. Organizations should implement comprehensive security testing including dynamic analysis, static code analysis, and penetration testing to identify similar certificate validation flaws in other mobile applications. Additionally, developers should adopt secure coding practices that enforce strict certificate validation, implement certificate pinning for critical connections, and regularly audit SSL/TLS implementations to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future releases.