CVE-2014-7031 in RedAtoms Three
Summary
by MITRE
The RedAtoms Three (aka com.redatoms.mojodroid.tw.gp) application 2.5 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-2014-7031 affects the RedAtoms Three Android application version 2.5, representing a critical security flaw in the application's implementation of secure communication protocols. 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 impacts the application's network security architecture, where it fails to perform certificate verification that is fundamental to establishing trust in secure communications.
This technical flaw constitutes a failure in the application's cryptographic implementation, where the SSL/TLS handshake process is not properly enforced to validate server identities. The application's insecure certificate validation mechanism allows attackers to perform man-in-the-middle attacks by presenting forged certificates that appear legitimate to the application. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-295, which addresses "Improper Certificate Validation," and represents a direct violation of secure coding practices that require robust certificate verification procedures. The application's failure to implement proper certificate pinning or validation creates an environment where attackers can intercept and manipulate encrypted communications between the mobile application and remote servers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it enables comprehensive surveillance and data manipulation capabilities for adversaries. Attackers can exploit this weakness to access sensitive user information including personal data, login credentials, financial information, and other confidential communications that the application handles. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical expertise, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by threat actors with varying skill levels. The implications for user privacy and data protection are severe, as the application's security model is fundamentally compromised, potentially affecting thousands of users who trust the application with sensitive information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The primary solution involves implementing proper certificate validation procedures that enforce strict certificate chain verification, including checking certificate expiration dates, validating certificate authorities, and implementing certificate pinning where appropriate. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as certificate transparency monitoring and regular security audits of mobile applications. The vulnerability's remediation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1041, which describes "Exfiltration Over C2 Channel," as the compromised application could facilitate data exfiltration through the insecure communication channels. Security teams should prioritize updating the application to include robust certificate validation mechanisms, potentially implementing certificate pinning to prevent the use of unauthorized certificates, and establishing monitoring protocols to detect potential exploitation attempts.