CVE-2014-7059 in TheDevildogGamer
Summary
by MITRE
The TheDevildogGamer (aka com.wTheDevildogGamer) application 1.0 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 • 09/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-7059 affects the TheDevildogGamer Android application version 1.0, specifically targeting its cryptographic security implementation. This flaw represents a critical weakness in the application's secure communication protocols, where the software fails to properly validate SSL/TLS certificates presented by remote servers. The absence of X.509 certificate verification creates a significant security gap that directly enables man-in-the-middle attack scenarios. According to the common weakness enumeration framework, this vulnerability maps to CWE-295 which describes improper certificate validation or lack of certificate validation in secure communications. The application's failure to implement proper certificate pinning or validation mechanisms leaves users exposed to sophisticated attack vectors that can compromise the integrity of all data transmitted between the mobile application and backend services.
The technical implementation flaw manifests in the application's network communication stack where SSL/TLS connections are established without proper certificate chain validation. Attackers can exploit this weakness by presenting maliciously crafted certificates that appear legitimate to the vulnerable application, effectively bypassing the security measures designed to protect against unauthorized access. This vulnerability operates at the transport layer security level, where the application should be enforcing certificate validation against trusted certificate authorities but instead accepts any certificate presented. The attack scenario involves an adversary positioned between the user and the legitimate server, capable of intercepting and modifying traffic while maintaining the appearance of legitimate communication to the end user. This represents a fundamental failure in the application's security architecture and aligns with tactics described in the attack technique framework under MITRE ATT&CK matrix as T1041 which covers data compression and T1566 which covers credential access through network sniffing and interception.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete session hijacking and authentication bypass capabilities. Sensitive information including user credentials, personal data, financial transactions, and confidential communications can be intercepted and manipulated by malicious actors. The vulnerability affects all users of the application who engage in network communication, creating a persistent risk that cannot be easily mitigated by end users without updating to a patched version. Organizations relying on this application for business operations face potential regulatory compliance violations and reputational damage. The weakness particularly impacts applications handling sensitive user information where secure communication channels are essential for maintaining trust and protecting against unauthorized access. Mobile security frameworks and application security standards such as those defined by OWASP Mobile Security Project specifically address this type of vulnerability under the category of insecure communication channels and improper certificate validation practices. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of implementing certificate pinning strategies and proper SSL/TLS configuration to prevent attackers from substituting certificates during transmission.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper certificate validation mechanisms within the application. The recommended approach includes implementing certificate pinning to ensure that only specific certificates or certificate authorities are accepted for communication. Developers should utilize established security libraries and frameworks that properly handle certificate validation and implement strict validation procedures against trusted certificate authorities. The application should be updated to enforce certificate chain validation and implement proper error handling for certificate validation failures. Organizations should also consider implementing network-level monitoring to detect potential man-in-the-middle attacks and establish secure communication protocols that prevent certificate substitution. Security updates should include comprehensive testing of the certificate validation mechanisms to ensure that legitimate communications are not disrupted while maintaining protection against malicious certificate substitution attacks. The vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the essential security controls that must be implemented in mobile applications and the importance of following established security standards and best practices for cryptographic implementation.