CVE-2014-7122 in Lansing State Journal Print
Summary
by MITRE
The Lansing State Journal Print (aka com.lansingjournal.android.prod) application 6.7 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 • 10/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-7122 represents a critical security flaw in the Lansing State Journal Print Android application version 6.7, specifically addressing improper implementation of SSL/TLS certificate verification mechanisms. This weakness fundamentally undermines the application's ability to establish secure communication channels with remote servers, creating a significant attack surface that malicious actors can exploit to compromise user data integrity and confidentiality.
The technical flaw manifests as a failure to properly validate X.509 certificates during SSL/TLS handshakes, which is a core security mechanism designed to authenticate server identities and ensure encrypted communication channels. When an application bypasses certificate verification, it essentially disables the cryptographic trust model that SSL/TLS protocols are built upon, allowing attackers to present fraudulent certificates that the application will accept without proper validation. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-295, which specifically addresses "Improper Certificate Validation" in security protocols, and represents a fundamental failure in the application's cryptographic implementation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it enables man-in-the-middle attacks that can intercept and manipulate sensitive user data transmitted between the mobile application and backend servers. Attackers can create malicious certificates that appear legitimate to the vulnerable application, potentially capturing login credentials, personal information, financial data, or other confidential communications. This weakness particularly affects applications that handle sensitive user information, making it an attractive target for cybercriminals seeking to exploit mobile application security gaps. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1573.002, which covers "Encrypted Channels: Asymmetric Cryptography" and highlights how improper implementation of cryptographic protocols can lead to information disclosure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-7122 must focus on implementing proper certificate validation mechanisms that adhere to established security standards and best practices. Organizations should ensure that all SSL/TLS implementations follow industry guidelines such as those specified in NIST SP 800-52 for certificate management and validation. The application should implement certificate pinning techniques to prevent the acceptance of fraudulent certificates, and developers must ensure that certificate verification occurs before establishing any secure communication channel. Additionally, regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in mobile applications. The fix requires comprehensive code review and implementation of proper SSL/TLS certificate validation routines that check certificate chains, expiration dates, and trust anchor verification to prevent the acceptance of untrusted certificates and maintain the integrity of secure communication channels.