CVE-2014-7402 in SK encar
Summary
by MITRE
The SK encar (aka com.encardirect.app) application @7F050000 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 CVE-2014-7402 vulnerability affects the SK encar Android application, specifically targeting its implementation of SSL/TLS certificate verification mechanisms. This security flaw represents a critical weakness in the application's cryptographic security architecture, where the software fails to properly validate X.509 certificates presented by SSL servers during secure communications. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to perform certificate chain validation, hostname verification, and trust anchor checking that are fundamental requirements for establishing secure connections. This weakness creates a significant attack surface that can be exploited by malicious actors positioned within the network traffic path between the mobile device and target servers.
The technical implementation flaw manifests as a complete absence of certificate verification logic within the application's network communication stack. When the SK encar application establishes SSL connections to remote servers, it does not perform the standard certificate validation procedures that are mandated by security protocols and industry best practices. This includes failing to check certificate expiration dates, verify certificate signatures against trusted root authorities, and confirm that the certificate subject matches the server hostname. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-295, which addresses "Improper Certificate Validation" and falls under the broader category of cryptographic weakness vulnerabilities. Attackers can exploit this by presenting a maliciously crafted certificate that appears to be from a legitimate server, thereby bypassing the application's security controls entirely.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception to encompass complete session hijacking and credential theft capabilities. An attacker positioned in a man-in-the-middle position can seamlessly impersonate legitimate servers and establish secure-looking connections with the victim application. This allows for the theft of sensitive user data, session tokens, and potentially personal information that the application processes during normal operations. The vulnerability affects all users of the affected SK encar application version, creating a widespread security risk across the entire user base. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no special privileges or complex exploitation techniques beyond standard network interception capabilities, making it accessible to a broad range of threat actors from casual attackers to sophisticated adversaries.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-7402 should focus on implementing proper certificate validation mechanisms within the application's SSL/TLS communication stack. The recommended approach involves integrating robust certificate verification procedures that include chain of trust validation, hostname matching, and expiration date checking. Security implementations should leverage established cryptographic libraries that properly handle certificate validation rather than implementing custom solutions that may contain similar flaws. Organizations should also implement certificate pinning strategies where appropriate to add an additional layer of protection against certificate-based attacks. The remediation process requires thorough code review and testing to ensure that all SSL connections within the application properly validate certificates before establishing secure communication channels. This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of following security standards such as those defined in the OWASP Mobile Security Project and the NIST guidelines for mobile application security, particularly regarding secure communication protocols and certificate management practices.