CVE-2014-7433 in Student ID
Summary
by MITRE
The Student ID (aka com.computas.studentbevis) application 1.2 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-2014-7433 resides within the Student ID application version 1.2 for Android operating systems, representing a critical security flaw in the application's cryptographic implementation. This weakness specifically manifests in the application's failure to properly validate X.509 certificates during SSL/TLS communications, creating a significant attack surface that adversaries can exploit to compromise the integrity of network connections. The vulnerability stems from the application's improper handling of certificate verification processes, which are fundamental to establishing secure communications between mobile applications and remote servers.
The technical flaw constitutes a failure in the certificate validation mechanism that should normally ensure the authenticity and trustworthiness of SSL/TLS certificates presented by servers. When an application does not verify X.509 certificates, it essentially removes a critical security control that prevents attackers from presenting fraudulent certificates to establish fake secure connections. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-295 which describes improper certificate validation, and more specifically aligns with CWE-310 which addresses cryptographic weaknesses in certificate validation. The flaw enables man-in-the-middle attacks where malicious actors can intercept communications and present forged certificates that appear legitimate to the vulnerable application, thereby bypassing the security measures designed to protect sensitive data exchanges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it allows attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information that users expect to be protected through secure communications. Mobile applications that rely on SSL/TLS for protecting user data, personal information, or institutional credentials become particularly vulnerable when they fail to validate server certificates properly. The attack vector is particularly dangerous in mobile environments where users may connect to public networks or untrusted Wi-Fi networks, increasing the likelihood of successful man-in-the-middle attacks. This vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of data transmitted between the application and its servers, potentially exposing personal identifiers, academic records, or other sensitive information that users trust to remain secure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper certificate validation mechanisms within the application's SSL/TLS communication stack. Security measures must include enforcing certificate pinning where possible, implementing robust certificate verification routines that validate certificate chains against trusted Certificate Authorities, and ensuring that the application properly handles certificate expiration dates and revocation status. Organizations should also consider implementing network-level security controls such as SSL inspection and monitoring for suspicious certificate usage patterns. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to industry standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Mobile Security Project, which emphasizes the need for proper certificate handling in mobile applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under the T1046 technique for network service scanning and T1566 for credential access through man-in-the-middle attacks, highlighting the broader threat landscape that such certificate validation failures expose applications to.