CVE-2014-7321 in Firenze map
Summary
by MITRE
The Firenze map (aka com.wFirenzemap) application 0.1 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-2014-7321 affects the Firenze map Android application version 0.1, specifically targeting its implementation of secure communication protocols. This flaw represents a critical security weakness in the application's approach to network security and certificate validation. The issue stems from 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 the integrity of communications between the mobile application and remote servers. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it directly impacts the application's ability to establish trust with legitimate servers while simultaneously enabling malicious actors to impersonate authorized services.
The technical flaw manifests in the application's SSL/TLS implementation where it bypasses the standard certificate verification process that should occur during secure connections. This failure allows attackers to perform man-in-the-middle attacks by presenting forged certificates that appear legitimate to the vulnerable application. The absence of proper certificate chain validation means the application accepts certificates without verifying their authenticity through trusted certificate authorities or checking for proper certificate signatures and expiration dates. This weakness specifically relates to the application's handling of X.509 certificates which are the standard format for digital certificates used in SSL/TLS protocols to establish secure communications. The vulnerability essentially removes the cryptographic assurance that secure connections provide, making the application susceptible to various forms of attack including data interception, modification, and unauthorized access to sensitive information transmitted through the application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, encompassing potential compromise of user privacy and application integrity. Attackers exploiting this weakness can intercept and modify communications between the mobile application and backend services, potentially gaining access to sensitive user data, authentication credentials, or proprietary information. The vulnerability affects the fundamental security model of the application by undermining the trust model that SSL/TLS is designed to provide, allowing attackers to establish false connections that appear legitimate to the application. This creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited for prolonged periods without detection, as the application's security mechanisms fail to identify malicious certificate presentations. The impact is particularly severe for applications handling sensitive user information or financial data, where the compromise of secure communications can lead to significant financial loss or privacy violations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper certificate validation mechanisms within the application. The primary solution involves configuring the application to perform comprehensive X.509 certificate validation including chain of trust verification, certificate signature validation, and expiration date checking. Organizations should implement certificate pinning mechanisms to ensure that the application only accepts certificates from specific trusted authorities or specific certificate fingerprints. The remediation process should include updating the SSL/TLS library implementation to enforce proper certificate validation procedures and ensuring that certificate verification is performed at connection establishment. Additionally, regular security audits should be conducted to verify that certificate validation mechanisms remain effective against evolving attack techniques. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-295 which specifically addresses improper certificate validation and relates to ATT&CK technique T1041 which covers data manipulation through man-in-the-middle attacks. The fix should also incorporate industry best practices for mobile application security including secure coding standards and regular penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in the application's security architecture.