CVE-2014-7338 in faailkhair
Summary
by MITRE
The faailkhair (aka com.faailkhair.app) application 1.0 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 described in CVE-2014-7338 represents a critical security flaw in the faailkhair Android application version 1.0, specifically targeting the application's handling of SSL/TLS certificate validation. This weakness falls under the category of improper certificate validation, which is a well-documented security vulnerability that can have severe implications for data integrity and confidentiality. The application fails to properly verify X.509 certificates presented by SSL servers, creating an exploitable condition that undermines the fundamental security assurances provided by transport layer security protocols.
The technical flaw manifests in the application's inability to perform proper certificate chain validation and trust verification processes. When establishing secure connections to remote servers, the application accepts any certificate presented without validating its authenticity through recognized certificate authorities or checking for proper certificate chains. This behavior creates a man-in-the-middle attack vector where malicious actors can intercept communications by presenting forged certificates that appear legitimate to the vulnerable application. The vulnerability is classified as a certificate verification bypass, which directly relates to CWE-295, which addresses improper certificate validation in security protocols.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information transmitted through the application. Mobile applications that fail to properly validate SSL certificates expose users to potential data breaches, credential theft, and privacy violations. The vulnerability affects the application's ability to maintain secure communication channels, which is fundamental to protecting user data, financial transactions, and personal information. This weakness is particularly dangerous in mobile environments where applications often handle sensitive user data and may be used in contexts where security is paramount.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper SSL certificate validation mechanisms within the application. Developers must ensure that all SSL connections perform comprehensive certificate validation including chain of trust verification, certificate expiration checks, and proper hostname validation. The solution involves implementing robust certificate pinning mechanisms or utilizing established security libraries that properly handle certificate validation. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring to detect potential man-in-the-middle attacks and establish secure coding practices that align with industry standards such as those recommended by the OWASP Mobile Security Project. This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of following security best practices in mobile application development and demonstrates how seemingly simple implementation errors can create significant security risks that affect user privacy and data protection. The issue directly relates to ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers phishing attacks and credential access through compromised network communications, emphasizing the need for proper certificate validation to prevent such attacks from succeeding.