CVE-2014-7329 in Motoring Classics
Summary
by MITRE
The Motoring Classics (aka com.aptusi.android.motoring) application 1.8.6 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-2014-7329 affects the Motoring Classics Android application version 1.8.6, representing a critical security flaw in the application's implementation of secure communications. This issue stems from the application's failure to properly validate X.509 certificates during SSL/TLS connections, creating a significant attack vector that undermines the fundamental security assurances provided by cryptographic protocols. The flaw exists within the application's network security implementation, specifically in how it handles certificate validation during secure socket layer communications.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under CWE-295, which addresses improper certificate validation in security protocols. The application's failure to verify SSL server certificates means that it accepts any certificate presented by a server without proper authentication, allowing attackers to perform man-in-the-middle attacks with relative ease. This occurs because the application does not implement proper certificate chain validation, does not check certificate expiration dates, and fails to verify the certificate's signature against trusted certificate authorities. The vulnerability essentially removes the cryptographic security guarantees that SSL/TLS protocols are designed to provide, leaving users exposed to various forms of attack including credential theft, data interception, and session hijacking.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates substantial risk for users of the Motoring Classics application, as it enables attackers to establish fraudulent connections with the application's servers. An attacker positioned between the user and the legitimate server can present a malicious certificate that appears to be from the genuine service, allowing them to intercept, modify, or steal sensitive user data including personal information, login credentials, or any data transmitted through the application's secure channels. The impact extends beyond simple data theft to potentially enable full account compromise and unauthorized access to services that users trust to be secure. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in mobile environments where users may connect to untrusted networks, increasing the attack surface for man-in-the-middle scenarios.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with tactics described in the ATT&CK framework under T1566, which covers credential harvesting through phishing and man-in-the-middle attacks. The lack of certificate validation creates an environment where attackers can successfully execute credential theft operations without detection, as the application itself fails to provide the necessary security checks that would alert users to compromised connections. Organizations and developers should implement proper certificate pinning mechanisms, utilize trusted certificate authorities, and ensure that all SSL/TLS connections perform thorough certificate validation. The recommended mitigations include updating the application to implement proper certificate validation procedures, implementing certificate pinning for critical communications, and ensuring that all network communications verify certificate authenticity through established trust chains. This vulnerability serves as a prime example of why mobile application security must include robust cryptographic implementation practices and why security testing should specifically target certificate validation mechanisms.