CVE-2014-7394 in www.alaaliwat.com
Summary
by MITRE
The www.alaaliwat.com (aka com.alaliwat.marsa) application 4.9 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 • 10/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-7394 affects the www.alaaliwat.com Android application version 4.9, specifically targeting the application's SSL/TLS certificate verification mechanisms. This represents a critical security flaw in the application's cryptographic implementation that fundamentally undermines the integrity of secure communications between the mobile client and remote servers. The issue manifests when the application fails to properly validate X.509 certificates presented by SSL servers, creating a significant attack vector for malicious actors seeking to intercept or manipulate sensitive data transmission.
The technical flaw resides in the application's failure to implement proper certificate pinning or validation procedures during SSL handshakes. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-295, which addresses improper certificate validation in security protocols, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1041 where adversaries exploit weak cryptographic implementations to intercept communications. The application essentially trusts any certificate presented by a server without verifying its authenticity through established certificate authorities or implementing certificate pinning mechanisms. This weakness allows attackers to perform man-in-the-middle attacks by presenting forged certificates that appear legitimate to the vulnerable application, thereby enabling unauthorized access to sensitive information transmitted through the application's network connections.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it creates an environment where attackers can not only read sensitive information but also modify data in transit. Mobile applications that handle personal data, financial information, or authentication credentials become particularly vulnerable when they fail to properly validate SSL certificates. The attack surface is broadened because the vulnerability affects the entire communication stack of the application, potentially exposing user credentials, personal information, and business data to unauthorized parties. This flaw represents a fundamental failure in the application's security architecture and demonstrates a lack of adherence to industry best practices for secure mobile application development.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The primary solution involves implementing proper certificate validation mechanisms that verify certificate chains against trusted root authorities, potentially incorporating certificate pinning for critical endpoints. Organizations should also consider implementing certificate transparency checks and regular security audits of their mobile applications. The fix should align with industry standards such as those outlined in OWASP Mobile Security Project recommendations for secure communication and should follow the principles of secure coding practices as defined in NIST SP 800-53. Additionally, implementing runtime application self-protection measures and regular security testing can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future versions of the application.