CVE-2014-7086 in Killer Screen lock
Summary
by MITRE
The Killer Screen lock (aka com.cc.theme.shashou) application 0.5 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-2014-7086 resides within the Killer Screen lock application version 0.5 for Android operating systems, representing a critical security flaw in certificate validation mechanisms. This application, designed to provide screen lock functionality, fails to implement proper SSL certificate verification procedures that are fundamental to secure communication protocols. The absence of X.509 certificate validation creates a significant attack vector that exposes users to sophisticated man-in-the-middle attacks. The vulnerability specifically affects the application's inability to authenticate the identity of SSL servers during secure connections, allowing malicious actors to present fraudulent certificates that the application accepts without proper scrutiny.
The technical implementation flaw stems from the application's failure to perform certificate chain validation and trust verification processes that are standard in secure mobile applications. When establishing secure connections, the application should validate certificate signatures against trusted Certificate Authorities and verify that the certificate matches the server's domain name. However, the Killer Screen lock application bypasses these essential security checks, creating a trust relationship with any certificate presented by an attacker. This weakness directly aligns with CWE-295, which specifically addresses improper certificate validation in security protocols. The vulnerability essentially removes the cryptographic assurance that secure communications provide, leaving sensitive user data exposed to interception and manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass comprehensive system compromise and user privacy violations. Attackers can exploit this weakness to intercept all communications between the device and legitimate servers, potentially gaining access to personal information, login credentials, and other sensitive data. The vulnerability creates an environment where attackers can establish false trust relationships with the application, enabling them to perform session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration operations. This type of attack falls squarely within the ATT&CK framework under T1041, which describes data encryption for ransom, and T1566, which covers credential harvesting through social engineering. The compromised application essentially becomes a conduit for malicious activities that would otherwise be blocked by proper certificate validation mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate application updates that implement proper SSL certificate validation procedures. Security patches should enforce certificate chain validation against trusted root certificates, implement certificate pinning where appropriate, and ensure that all certificate verification processes follow established security standards. Organizations should also consider implementing network-level monitoring to detect anomalous certificate behavior and establish proper security policies that require certificate validation for all applications handling sensitive data. The fix must address the root cause by incorporating robust certificate validation libraries and ensuring that the application performs thorough verification of server identities before establishing secure connections. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of installing untrusted applications and the importance of keeping software updated to protect against known vulnerabilities. This vulnerability serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of certificate validation in mobile security and the potential consequences of neglecting these fundamental security controls.