CVE-2014-7024 in Hardest Game Collection
Summary
by MITRE
The Hardest Game Collection (aka com.lotfun.abuse) application 1.5.0 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 • 09/26/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-7024 affects the Hardest Game Collection Android application version 1.5.0, specifically targeting the application's handling of secure communications with remote servers. This represents a critical flaw in the application's cryptographic security implementation that fundamentally undermines the integrity of data transmission between the mobile device and backend services. The application's failure to properly validate X.509 certificates creates a significant attack surface that adversaries can exploit to compromise user data and system security.
The technical flaw manifests in the application's complete absence of SSL/TLS certificate verification mechanisms during network communications. When the Android application establishes connections to remote servers, it does not perform the necessary validation steps required to ensure that the server presenting the certificate is legitimate and authorized to represent the intended service. This omission allows attackers to deploy malicious intermediaries who can present forged certificates that appear legitimate to the vulnerable application. The flaw directly violates fundamental security principles of certificate-based authentication and trust establishment in secure communications protocols.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates severe consequences for users of the application and the organizations behind it. Attackers can execute successful man-in-the-middle attacks by intercepting communications and presenting fraudulent certificates that the application accepts without verification. This enables unauthorized access to sensitive user information including personal data, login credentials, and potentially financial information transmitted through the application's communication channels. The impact extends beyond individual user privacy concerns to potential data breaches that could affect business operations and regulatory compliance.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-295, which specifically addresses "Improper Certificate Validation," and represents a clear failure to implement proper SSL/TLS certificate validation as recommended by industry standards. This weakness also maps to ATT&CK technique T1041, which covers "Exfiltration Over C2 Channel," as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish unauthorized data transmission channels. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader security posture assessment, particularly when evaluating mobile application security controls and implementing defense-in-depth strategies. The flaw demonstrates the critical importance of proper cryptographic implementation in mobile applications and the potential consequences of inadequate security controls.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate code review and implementation of proper certificate validation mechanisms, ensuring that the application performs thorough verification of server certificates against trusted certificate authorities. Developers must implement certificate pinning where appropriate, establish robust certificate validation routines, and conduct regular security testing of network communication components. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous certificate behavior and establish incident response procedures for potential exploitation of this vulnerability. The remediation process should follow established security frameworks including OWASP Mobile Security Project guidelines and NIST cybersecurity standards for mobile application development and security validation.