CVE-2014-7018 in LOVE DANCE
Summary
by MITRE
The LOVE DANCE (aka com.efunfun.ddianle.lovedance) application 1.2.0626 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-2014-7018 represents a critical security flaw in the LOVE DANCE Android application version 1.2.0626, specifically targeting the application's handling of secure communications. This issue falls under the category of improper certificate validation, where the application fails to properly verify X.509 certificates presented by SSL servers during the secure communication process. The vulnerability stems from the application's lack of certificate pinning or proper certificate chain validation mechanisms, creating an exploitable condition that undermines the fundamental security assurances provided by Transport Layer Security protocols.
The technical implementation flaw manifests in the application's failure to perform adequate certificate verification during SSL/TLS handshakes. When establishing secure connections to backend servers, the application accepts any certificate presented without validating its authenticity through trusted certificate authorities or implementing proper certificate pinning strategies. This allows attackers to perform man-in-the-middle attacks by presenting fraudulent certificates that appear legitimate to the vulnerable application. The vulnerability specifically affects the SSL/TLS certificate validation process and can be categorized under CWE-295 which addresses "Improper Certificate Validation" in security protocols.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for users of the application as it enables attackers to intercept and manipulate all data transmitted between the mobile device and the application servers. Sensitive information including user credentials, personal data, financial transactions, and other confidential communications can be compromised without detection. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires no special privileges or advanced techniques from the attacker, making it accessible to threat actors with basic network monitoring capabilities. The vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity of communications, violating core security principles of secure mobile application design.
The security implications extend beyond immediate data theft to encompass potential account takeovers, identity theft, and financial fraud. Mobile applications that fail to properly validate SSL certificates create persistent attack surfaces that can be exploited for extended periods without detection. Organizations implementing such applications should consider the broader security ecosystem implications and the potential for cascading effects if the compromised application has access to sensitive user data or system resources. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1041 which covers "Exfiltration Over C2 Channel" and demonstrates how insecure communication practices can enable data exfiltration and command and control operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate implementation of proper certificate validation mechanisms within the application, including certificate pinning to trusted certificate authorities, enforcement of certificate chain validation, and implementation of secure SSL/TLS configuration practices. Developers should adopt industry best practices such as those outlined in OWASP Mobile Top 10 and NIST SP 800-52 for mobile application security. The application should be updated to verify certificate chains against trusted root certificates, implement certificate pinning where appropriate, and establish secure communication protocols that prevent the acceptance of self-signed or untrusted certificates. Additionally, regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to ensure that similar vulnerabilities are not present in other components of the application ecosystem.