CVE-2014-7073 in Andrew Magdy Kamal's Network
Summary
by MITRE
The Andrew Magdy Kamal s Network (aka com.wAndSocialREWApps) 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 • 09/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-7073 affects the Andrew Magdy Kamal s Network application version 0.1 for Android platforms, representing a critical security flaw in the application's implementation of secure communications. This issue stems from the application's failure to properly validate X.509 certificates during SSL/TLS connections, creating a significant attack vector that undermines the fundamental security assurances provided by cryptographic protocols. The vulnerability specifically targets the certificate verification process, which is essential for establishing trust between client and server in secure communications. According to CWE-295, this represents a weakness in certificate validation where the application fails to properly validate the authenticity of SSL certificates presented by remote servers. The flaw enables attackers to perform man-in-the-middle attacks by presenting fraudulent certificates that the application accepts without proper verification, effectively breaking the cryptographic security model that SSL/TLS protocols are designed to enforce.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests in the application's network communication stack where it bypasses standard certificate validation routines that should verify certificate chains against trusted root authorities. When the application establishes SSL connections to remote servers, it does not perform the necessary cryptographic checks that would normally validate certificate signatures, expiration dates, and trust relationships with recognized certificate authorities. This allows attackers to generate or obtain certificates that appear legitimate to the application but are actually controlled by the attacker. The vulnerability operates at the transport layer security level, specifically targeting the SSL/TLS handshake process where certificate validation should occur. Attackers can exploit this weakness by intercepting network traffic and presenting forged certificates that match the expected domain names, thereby deceiving the application into believing it is communicating with legitimate servers while actually routing communications through attacker-controlled intermediaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it enables comprehensive information disclosure and potential system compromise. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can eavesdrop on all communications between the vulnerable application and its servers, potentially accessing sensitive user data, authentication credentials, or proprietary information. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in mobile environments where applications often handle personal and financial data, making the risk of exposure substantial. According to ATT&CK framework domain T1566, this represents a credential access technique that leverages network infiltration to obtain sensitive information. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of communications, as attackers can both read transmitted data and potentially inject malicious content into communications. The lack of certificate verification creates a trust boundary failure that undermines the application's security posture and exposes users to various forms of attack including data theft, session hijacking, and identity spoofing.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper certificate validation mechanisms within the application's network layer. The recommended approach involves configuring the application to perform comprehensive X.509 certificate validation including chain of trust verification, certificate expiration checks, and hostname validation against the presented certificate. Security patches should enforce certificate pinning where possible, ensuring that only specific trusted certificates or certificate authorities are accepted. The application should be updated to use established SSL/TLS libraries that properly implement certificate validation routines rather than relying on custom or incomplete implementations. Organizations should implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish secure communication protocols that include certificate verification as a mandatory requirement. According to security best practices and industry standards, this vulnerability should be addressed through comprehensive code review and security testing to ensure that all network communications properly validate server certificates. The remediation process should also include user education regarding the risks of using applications with known security vulnerabilities and the importance of keeping applications updated with security patches.