CVE-2014-7334 in Where Dallas
Summary
by MITRE
The Where Dallas (aka com.magzter.wheredallas) application 3.0.2 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-2014-7334 affects the Where Dallas mobile application version 3.0.2 for Android platforms, representing a critical security flaw in the application's implementation of secure communication protocols. This issue stems from the application's failure to properly validate X.509 certificates during SSL/TLS connections, creating a significant attack vector that compromises the integrity of data transmission between the mobile client and remote servers. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-295 which specifically addresses improper certificate validation in security protocols, making it a direct descendant of well-established security weaknesses in cryptographic implementations.
The technical flaw manifests when the application establishes secure connections to backend services, as it fails to perform proper certificate chain validation and hostname verification. This omission allows malicious actors to execute man-in-the-middle attacks by presenting forged SSL certificates that appear legitimate to the vulnerable application. The certificate verification process typically involves checking certificate validity periods, ensuring certificates are issued by trusted Certificate Authorities, and confirming that the certificate's subject matches the target server's hostname. However, the Where Dallas application bypasses these crucial validation steps, leaving users exposed to potential data interception and theft.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive user data and communications. Mobile applications that handle personal information, financial data, or private communications are particularly vulnerable when they fail to implement proper SSL certificate validation. Attackers can exploit this weakness to intercept user credentials, personal messages, financial transactions, or any other sensitive information transmitted through the application's secure channels. The vulnerability is especially concerning in mobile environments where users may connect to untrusted networks, increasing the attack surface and potential for exploitation.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including updating the application to a version that properly validates SSL certificates, implementing certificate pinning mechanisms, and conducting thorough security reviews of all network communication components. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1046 Network Service Scanning and T1566 Impersonation, as attackers can leverage the flawed certificate validation to establish false trust relationships with mobile applications. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous certificate behavior and establish proper certificate management policies to ensure all applications perform adequate SSL/TLS validation. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to industry standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Mobile Security Project, which emphasizes the necessity of proper cryptographic implementation in mobile applications to prevent such security failures.