CVE-2014-7317 in Aloha Bail Bonds
Summary
by MITRE
The Aloha Bail Bonds (aka com.onesolutionapps.alohabailbondsandroid) application 1.1 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 • 10/02/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-7317 affects the Aloha Bail Bonds Android application version 1.1, representing a critical security flaw in the application's cryptographic implementation. This weakness resides in the application's failure to properly validate X.509 certificates during SSL/TLS connections, creating a significant attack surface that adversaries can exploit to compromise user data integrity and confidentiality. The issue manifests as a lack of certificate verification mechanisms that should normally validate the authenticity of SSL servers before establishing secure communication channels. This flaw directly violates fundamental security principles governing secure network communications and exposes users to potential data interception and manipulation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's insecure handling of SSL connections through the Android operating system's network security framework. When the application attempts to establish encrypted connections with remote servers, it fails to perform proper certificate chain validation, certificate pinning, or hostname verification procedures. This insecure implementation allows attackers to deploy malicious certificates that appear legitimate to the application, enabling them to intercept and potentially modify data transmitted between the mobile application and its backend services. The vulnerability specifically impacts the certificate verification process, which should normally be governed by established cryptographic standards and security protocols to ensure trust in remote server identities.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates severe consequences for both end users and the organization operating the application. Attackers can leverage this weakness to conduct man-in-the-middle attacks, where they position themselves between the mobile application and legitimate servers to capture sensitive information including user credentials, personal identification details, financial data, and other confidential information processed through the application. The impact extends beyond simple data theft to include potential identity fraud, financial loss, and reputational damage for the organization. This vulnerability is particularly concerning given that it affects a bail bonds application, which likely handles highly sensitive personal and financial information that could be exploited for malicious purposes.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with several established threat frameworks and security standards, including CWE-295 which specifically addresses "Improper Certificate Validation" and ATT&CK technique T1041 which covers "Exfiltration Over C2 Channel" through insecure network communications. Organizations should implement comprehensive certificate pinning mechanisms, enforce strict hostname verification, and utilize proper certificate validation libraries to address this weakness. Mitigation strategies include updating the application to properly implement SSL certificate validation, implementing certificate pinning for critical communications, and establishing monitoring systems to detect potential man-in-the-middle attacks. Additionally, the application should be updated to comply with industry standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Mobile Security Project and NIST guidelines for mobile application security to prevent similar vulnerabilities in future implementations.