CVE-2014-7328 in brain abundance info
Summary
by MITRE
The brain abundance info (aka com.wbrainabundance) 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-2014-7328 resides within the brain abundance info application version 0.1 for Android operating systems, representing a critical security flaw in the application's implementation of secure communication protocols. This weakness specifically targets the application's handling of SSL/TLS certificate verification processes, creating a pathway for malicious actors to compromise the integrity of network communications between the mobile device and remote servers. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate X.509 certificates, which are fundamental components of the public key infrastructure that establish trust in secure communications. This flaw directly violates established security practices and exposes users to significant risks during data transmission.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a complete absence of certificate pinning or proper certificate validation mechanisms within the application's network stack. When the application attempts to establish secure connections with SSL servers, it fails to perform the essential verification steps that would normally confirm the authenticity of server certificates against trusted certificate authorities. This omission creates a man-in-the-middle attack vector where attackers can intercept communications and present forged certificates that the application will accept without proper scrutiny. The flaw operates at the transport layer security validation level, specifically targeting the certificate chain validation process that should occur during SSL handshake procedures. According to CWE classification, this represents a weakness in the validation of cryptographic certificates, specifically CWE-295 which addresses improper certificate validation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it enables attackers to gain access to sensitive information transmitted through the application's network communications. Mobile applications that rely on secure connections for user authentication, data synchronization, or transaction processing become particularly vulnerable when they fail to validate SSL certificates properly. The consequences include potential exposure of user credentials, personal data, financial information, and other confidential materials that the application might handle during normal operations. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1041, which describes data compression and encryption methods that can be exploited to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability affects a mobile application, which typically handles personal and sensitive user data in environments where physical security may be compromised.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper certificate validation mechanisms within the application's network security framework. Developers must implement certificate pinning techniques that validate certificate chains against known good certificates or public key fingerprints, rather than accepting certificates from any trusted authority. The application should enforce strict certificate validation procedures during SSL handshake processes, ensuring that all certificates presented by servers meet established security criteria before establishing secure connections. Security patches should include proper implementation of certificate verification routines that align with industry best practices for mobile application security. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous certificate behavior and establish automated alerting for potential man-in-the-middle attacks. Additionally, regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications and ensure that certificate validation mechanisms remain robust against evolving attack techniques. The remediation process should follow established security frameworks such as those outlined in NIST SP 800-52 for certificate management and SSL/TLS implementation guidelines.