CVE-2014-7080 in Sigong ebook
Summary
by MITRE
The Sigong ebook (aka com.sigongsa.sigonggenre) application 1.0.0 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 • 09/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-7080 resides within the Sigong ebook Android application version 1.0.0, specifically targeting the application's secure communication protocols. This flaw represents a critical security weakness in the application's implementation of Transport Layer Security (TLS) certificate validation mechanisms. The application fails to properly validate X.509 certificates presented by SSL servers during secure connections, creating a significant attack surface that malicious actors can exploit to compromise the integrity of communications between the mobile application and remote servers.
This vulnerability directly relates to the fundamental principle of certificate-based authentication in secure communications, where applications should verify the authenticity of server certificates against trusted certificate authorities. The absence of proper certificate verification allows attackers to perform man-in-the-middle attacks by presenting fraudulent certificates that appear legitimate to the application. The technical flaw manifests as a complete bypass of the certificate validation process, meaning the application accepts any certificate presented by a server regardless of its legitimacy or trustworthiness. This weakness falls under the category of improper certificate validation, which is classified as CWE-295 within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it enables attackers to obtain sensitive information through crafted certificates that can masquerade as legitimate servers. Mobile applications that rely on secure communication channels for user authentication, data synchronization, or content delivery become particularly vulnerable when they fail to validate server certificates. Attackers can exploit this weakness to decrypt communications, inject malicious content, or redirect users to fraudulent endpoints where personal information, login credentials, or financial data might be captured. The vulnerability particularly affects applications that handle user data, personal information, or require secure authentication mechanisms, as the lack of certificate validation creates an environment where attackers can manipulate the entire communication flow.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with several tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to credential access and defense evasion. The ability to perform man-in-the-middle attacks allows adversaries to gather credentials and sensitive information without detection, as the application's failure to validate certificates creates no alert mechanisms for suspicious activities. Security professionals should consider implementing certificate pinning mechanisms as a mitigation strategy, where applications explicitly trust specific certificates or certificate authorities rather than relying on the default trust store. Additionally, regular security assessments should include verification of certificate validation implementations, and developers should follow secure coding practices that enforce strict certificate validation procedures. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of implementing proper TLS configuration and ensuring that mobile applications do not accept self-signed certificates or certificates from untrusted authorities without explicit user confirmation.