CVE-2014-7119 in GNAM 2013
Summary
by MITRE
The GNAM 2013 (aka com.beepeers.gndam) 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.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/30/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-7119 affects the GNAM 2013 Android application version 1.0, specifically targeting its implementation of secure communication protocols. This application, designed for the Android platform, fails to properly validate X.509 certificates during SSL/TLS connections, creating a critical security gap that exposes users to significant risks. The flaw resides in the application's cryptographic handshake process where it does not perform certificate verification, leaving the communication channel vulnerable to malicious interference. This weakness directly impacts the application's ability to establish trust with remote servers, undermining the fundamental security principles of secure communications.
The technical implementation flaw represents a failure in certificate validation mechanisms that should be enforced during SSL/TLS negotiations. When an Android application establishes a secure connection, it should verify that the server's certificate is valid, properly signed by a trusted Certificate Authority, and matches the expected hostname. The GNAM 2013 application bypasses these essential verification steps, allowing attackers to present fraudulent certificates that appear legitimate to the application. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-295, which specifically addresses improper certificate validation in security protocols. The absence of proper certificate pinning or validation creates an environment where attackers can exploit the trust relationship between client and server through man-in-the-middle attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception to encompass complete compromise of user privacy and data integrity. Attackers can exploit this weakness to impersonate legitimate servers and gain access to sensitive user information including personal data, credentials, and any information transmitted through the vulnerable application. The implications are particularly severe given that this affects an Android application that likely handles user-specific data, making it a prime target for cybercriminals seeking to exploit user trust. This vulnerability enables attackers to perform session hijacking, data theft, and potentially establish persistent access points for further malicious activities, aligning with techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under T1041 for Exfiltration and T1566 for Phishing.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper certificate validation mechanisms within the application. Developers should implement certificate pinning to ensure that only specific certificates or certificate authorities are accepted, preventing the acceptance of fraudulent certificates. The application must enforce strict hostname verification and implement proper certificate chain validation using established cryptographic libraries. Security updates should include robust error handling for certificate validation failures, ensuring that any certificate issues result in connection termination rather than proceeding with unverified communications. Additionally, implementing network security policies that enforce secure communication protocols and regularly auditing cryptographic implementations will help prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future releases, addressing the core weaknesses that make this application susceptible to man-in-the-middle attacks.