CVE-2014-7052 in sahab-alkher.com
Summary
by MITRE
The sahab-alkher.com (aka com.tapatalk.sahabalkhercomvb) application 2.4.9.7 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 • 09/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-7052 resides within the sahab-alkher.com Android application version 2.4.9.7, representing a critical security flaw in the application's cryptographic implementation. This issue manifests as a failure to properly validate X.509 certificates during SSL/TLS connections, creating a significant attack vector for malicious actors seeking to compromise user data. The application's insecure certificate verification mechanism fundamentally undermines the security assurances that SSL/TLS protocols are designed to provide, leaving users vulnerable to sophisticated man-in-the-middle attacks that can intercept and manipulate sensitive communications.
The technical flaw stems from the application's complete omission of certificate pinning and validation procedures that are standard practice in secure mobile application development. When the application establishes SSL connections to remote servers, it fails to perform essential certificate checks including chain of trust validation, hostname verification, and signature validation. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-295, which specifically addresses "Improper Certificate Validation," and represents a critical failure in the application's security architecture. The absence of proper certificate verification allows attackers to present fraudulent certificates that appear legitimate to the application, enabling them to establish secure-looking connections while actually communicating with malicious intermediaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, creating opportunities for extensive information theft and system compromise. Attackers can exploit this weakness to capture user credentials, personal information, financial data, and other sensitive communications that would normally be protected by SSL/TLS encryption. The vulnerability affects any user of the application who connects to servers that may be compromised or monitored by malicious actors, potentially exposing thousands of users to data breaches and identity theft. This flaw particularly impacts mobile applications that handle sensitive user data, making it a prime target for cybercriminals seeking to exploit mobile security gaps in the increasingly mobile-first digital landscape.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-7052 require immediate implementation of proper certificate validation mechanisms within the application. Developers must implement robust certificate pinning using techniques such as certificate stapling, public key pinning, and proper chain validation procedures that align with industry best practices. The application should enforce strict hostname verification and implement certificate trust stores that are regularly updated to prevent exploitation of known vulnerable certificates. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions to detect potential man-in-the-middle attacks and establish secure communication protocols that include certificate revocation checking. This vulnerability highlights the importance of adhering to security frameworks such as those recommended by the National Institute of Standards and Technology and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1041, which covers "Exfiltration Over C2 Channel," demonstrating how insecure certificate handling can facilitate data exfiltration operations. The fix requires comprehensive code review and security testing to ensure that all SSL/TLS connections properly validate certificates before establishing secure communications.