CVE-2014-7353 in JAZAN 24
Summary
by MITRE
The JAZAN 24 (aka com.jazan24.Mcreda) 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 • 10/03/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-7353 affects the JAZAN 24 mobile application version 1.0 for Android devices, 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 surface that adversaries can exploit to compromise user data and system integrity. The vulnerability specifically impacts the application's cryptographic security implementation, where it fails to perform essential certificate verification steps that are fundamental to establishing trust in secure communications.
The technical flaw manifests as a complete absence of certificate validation mechanisms within the application's SSL/TLS implementation. When the application establishes connections to remote servers, it does not perform the necessary checks to verify certificate authenticity, including validation of certificate chains, expiration dates, and issuer legitimacy. This omission places the application in direct violation of established security standards and best practices for mobile application development. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-295, which specifically addresses "Improper Certificate Validation," and represents a failure to implement proper certificate pinning or validation procedures that are essential for preventing man-in-the-middle attacks. The absence of certificate verification creates a pathway for attackers to present fraudulent certificates that the application will accept as legitimate, effectively breaking the trust model that secure communications rely upon.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it enables attackers to conduct successful man-in-the-middle attacks against users of the application. An attacker positioned between the user and the server can intercept communications, present a forged certificate signed by a trusted authority, and gain access to sensitive information transmitted through the application. This includes but is not limited to user credentials, personal data, financial information, and any other sensitive content that the application may handle. The vulnerability undermines the fundamental security assurances that users expect from mobile applications, particularly those handling sensitive data. According to ATT&CK framework category T1573, this vulnerability enables credential access through secure channel interception, while also supporting T1041 for data exfiltration and T1566 for social engineering through trusted channel exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The primary fix involves implementing proper X.509 certificate validation within the application's SSL/TLS handling code, ensuring that all certificates are verified against trusted certificate authorities, checking certificate expiration dates, and validating certificate chains. Organizations should implement certificate pinning mechanisms to prevent the acceptance of fraudulent certificates, even if they are signed by trusted authorities. The application should be updated to use modern secure communication libraries that properly handle certificate validation, and developers should follow secure coding practices that align with OWASP Mobile Security Project recommendations. Additionally, regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in the application's cryptographic implementation. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of implementing robust security controls in mobile applications and serves as a reminder that proper certificate validation is non-negotiable for applications handling sensitive user data.