CVE-2014-7132 in Jambatan PBB Semporna
Summary
by MITRE
The Jambatan PBB Semporna (aka com.wJAMBATANPBBSEMPORNA) application 13523.82613 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-2014-7132 affects the Jambatan PBB Semporna Android application, specifically version 13523.82613, which operates under the package name com.wJAMBATANPBBSEMPORNA. This application demonstrates a critical security flaw in its implementation of secure communication protocols, creating a significant risk for users who rely on the app for sensitive transactions or data access. The vulnerability resides in the application's failure to properly validate SSL/TLS certificates, a fundamental security measure that ensures the authenticity and integrity of network communications between the mobile client and remote servers.
The technical flaw represents a classic certificate validation bypass that falls under CWE-295, which specifically addresses "Improper Certificate Validation." The application employs a weak SSL/TLS implementation that fails to perform proper certificate chain validation, hostname verification, or trust anchor checking. This weakness allows malicious actors to perform man-in-the-middle attacks by presenting forged SSL certificates that appear legitimate to the vulnerable application. The flaw essentially disables the cryptographic security mechanisms that are designed to protect against unauthorized access and data interception, leaving users exposed to various attack vectors including credential theft, data manipulation, and privacy violations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it fundamentally undermines the security model of the application and the trust relationships it establishes with backend services. Mobile applications that handle sensitive information such as personal data, financial transactions, or government-related records become particularly vulnerable when they lack proper certificate validation. Attackers can exploit this weakness to intercept communications, modify data in transit, or even redirect users to malicious servers without the application detecting the fraudulent activity. The vulnerability is particularly concerning for government or public service applications like Jambatan PBB Semporna, which may handle citizen information, tax data, or other sensitive governmental records that require robust security assurances.
Organizations should address this vulnerability through immediate code modifications that implement proper SSL certificate validation, including certificate chain building, hostname checking, and trust verification against established certificate authorities. The remediation process should follow established security frameworks and best practices for mobile application development, ensuring that all network communications are properly secured. Security teams should also implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish proper certificate management procedures. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of adhering to security standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Mobile Security Project, which emphasizes the necessity of proper cryptographic implementation in mobile applications. Additionally, this weakness aligns with ATT&CK technique T1046, which involves the use of network service scanning and manipulation to exploit security gaps in mobile applications, highlighting the need for comprehensive security testing and validation of all network communication components within mobile platforms.