CVE-2014-7417 in Real Academia de Bellas Artes
Summary
by MITRE
The Real Academia de Bellas Artes (aka com.adianteventures.adianteapps.real_academia_de_bellas_artes) 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 • 10/06/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-7417 affects the Real Academia de Bellas Artes Android application version 1.0, representing a critical security flaw in the application's implementation of secure communication protocols. This issue resides within the application's network security architecture where it fails to properly validate X.509 certificates during SSL/TLS connections, creating an exploitable weakness that undermines the fundamental security guarantees of encrypted communications. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it directly impacts the integrity and authenticity of data transmitted between the mobile application and remote servers, potentially exposing users to sophisticated attack vectors that compromise their sensitive information.
The technical flaw manifests in the application's failure to implement proper certificate validation mechanisms, specifically bypassing the standard X.509 certificate verification process that is essential for establishing trust in SSL/TLS communications. This weakness allows attackers to perform man-in-the-middle attacks by presenting fraudulent certificates that the application accepts without proper scrutiny. The vulnerability can be categorized under CWE-295 which specifically addresses improper certificate validation in SSL/TLS implementations, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1573.002 related to securing communications protocols through proper certificate validation. The application's insecure implementation means that attackers can create malicious certificates that appear legitimate to the application, enabling them to intercept, modify, or steal sensitive data transmitted through the application's network connections.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of users interacting with the application. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to user credentials, personal information, financial data, or other sensitive content that the application may handle during normal operation. The vulnerability affects all users of the application who engage in network communications, potentially exposing them to identity theft, financial fraud, or other malicious activities. Given that the application appears to be related to educational content or cultural resources, the compromise could also impact academic or institutional data, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in contexts where sensitive or proprietary information may be transmitted. The lack of certificate verification creates a persistent security risk that remains active as long as the vulnerable application version is in use.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar issues. The most critical immediate action involves implementing proper X.509 certificate validation that includes certificate chain verification, hostname checking, and revocation status verification. Organizations should ensure that the application employs standard security libraries and frameworks that properly handle certificate validation rather than implementing custom insecure solutions. Security measures should include certificate pinning where appropriate, implementing proper certificate trust stores, and ensuring that the application validates certificate signatures against trusted Certificate Authorities. Additionally, regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications or components that may be using similar insecure communication patterns. The remediation process should also involve updating the application to a version that properly implements SSL/TLS security controls, with proper certificate validation mechanisms that comply with industry standards and best practices for mobile application security.