CVE-2014-7314 in Intelligent SME
Summary
by MITRE
The Intelligent SME (aka com.magzter.intelligentsme) application 3.0 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 • 10/01/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2014-7314 represents a critical security flaw in the Intelligent SME Android application version 3.0, specifically related to SSL/TLS certificate validation mechanisms. This issue falls under the category of weak cryptographic practices and improper certificate verification, creating a significant attack surface for malicious actors. The application fails to properly validate X.509 certificates presented by SSL servers during secure communications, which directly violates fundamental security principles established in industry standards and best practices. This weakness exposes users to severe risks when the application establishes encrypted connections with remote servers, as the security model relies on the assumption that certificate validation is properly enforced.
The technical implementation flaw stems from the application's complete omission of certificate chain validation and trust verification processes. When the Android application attempts to establish SSL connections, it does not perform the necessary checks to ensure that certificates are issued by trusted Certificate Authorities, have not expired, match the expected hostname, or have not been revoked. This behavior creates a man-in-the-middle attack vector where attackers can intercept communications and present forged certificates that the application will accept without question. The vulnerability is classified as a failure to validate certificates properly, which aligns with CWE-295 - "Improper Certificate Validation" and represents a fundamental breakdown in the application's security architecture.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it allows attackers to obtain sensitive information through crafted malicious certificates. This includes but is not limited to user credentials, personal data, financial information, and confidential business communications that the application may transmit or receive. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of all data exchanged through SSL connections, potentially leading to identity theft, financial fraud, and corporate espionage. Attackers can exploit this weakness to impersonate legitimate services and gain unauthorized access to user accounts or sensitive system resources, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where the application may handle confidential business data.
Organizations and developers should implement comprehensive mitigations that address the root cause of this vulnerability through proper certificate validation implementation. The recommended approach involves enabling strict certificate validation by implementing proper certificate pinning mechanisms, utilizing Android's built-in certificate validation APIs, and ensuring that all SSL connections perform thorough verification of certificate chains. Security measures should include implementing certificate trust stores, validating certificate expiration dates, performing hostname verification, and establishing proper certificate revocation checking. This vulnerability highlights the importance of following security guidelines outlined in the OWASP Mobile Security Project and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1046 - "Network Service Scanning' and T1566 - 'Phishing' where attackers can leverage such weaknesses to establish persistent access and conduct more sophisticated attacks. The implementation of robust certificate validation practices is essential for maintaining secure communications and protecting sensitive data in mobile applications.