CVE-2014-7056 in Yeast Infection
Summary
by MITRE
The Yeast Infection (aka com.wyeastinfectionapp) application 0.1 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-2014-7056 affects the Yeast Infection Android application version 0.1, specifically targeting its implementation of secure communication protocols. This flaw represents a critical security weakness in the application's approach to network security and certificate validation. The issue manifests when the application fails to properly validate X.509 certificates presented by SSL servers during secure connections, creating a significant exposure that undermines the fundamental security assurances provided by Transport Layer Security protocols. This vulnerability directly impacts the application's ability to establish trust with remote servers, potentially allowing malicious actors to intercept and manipulate sensitive data transmitted between the mobile device and backend services.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from the application's inadequate certificate verification process, which falls under CWE-295, specifically the weakness of not validating certificates properly. When an Android application establishes SSL connections, it should validate the server's certificate against a trusted certificate authority to ensure the authenticity of the server. However, this application bypasses that critical validation step, allowing any certificate to be accepted regardless of its legitimacy or trustworthiness. The flaw essentially removes the cryptographic verification mechanism that prevents man-in-the-middle attacks, leaving users exposed to potential data interception and server impersonation attempts. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the network communication layer where sensitive information flows, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise user data.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-7056 extends beyond simple data exposure, as it creates a complete breakdown in the security model that users expect from mobile applications. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by presenting a maliciously crafted certificate to the application during SSL handshakes, effectively allowing them to establish fake secure connections that appear legitimate to the end user. This capability enables various attack vectors including credential theft, data exfiltration, and session hijacking, particularly if the application handles sensitive user information such as personal health data, login credentials, or medical records. The vulnerability is classified under the MITRE ATT&CK framework as a credential access technique, specifically related to the use of untrusted certificates to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the application appears to be related to medical or health information handling, which typically involves highly sensitive data requiring strong security protections.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper certificate validation mechanisms within the application. Developers should implement certificate pinning techniques to ensure that only specific certificates or certificate authorities are accepted for secure connections, preventing attackers from substituting malicious certificates. The application must be updated to properly validate X.509 certificates against trusted certificate authorities and implement proper certificate chain validation. Additionally, security best practices dictate that developers should utilize established security libraries and frameworks that handle certificate validation correctly rather than implementing custom solutions that may introduce additional vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring to detect unusual certificate behavior and establish security policies that require proper certificate validation for all network communications. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following Android security guidelines and industry standards for mobile application development, particularly regarding secure communication practices and the proper implementation of SSL/TLS protocols to maintain user trust and data integrity.