CVE-2014-7444 in Navigation
Summary
by MITRE
The Baidu Navigation (aka com.baidu.navi) application 3.5.0 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-2014-7444 affects the Baidu Navigation application version 3.5.0 for Android devices, representing a critical security flaw in the application's SSL/TLS certificate verification mechanism. This weakness exposes users to significant risks during network communications, particularly when the application establishes connections to remote servers for navigation data, map updates, or other online services. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate X.509 certificates presented by SSL servers, creating an avenue for attackers to exploit the trust relationship between the mobile application and its backend services.
The technical implementation flaw manifests in the application's SSL certificate validation process where it bypasses standard certificate chain verification procedures. This behavior directly violates fundamental security principles of secure communication protocols and creates a dangerous trust model where the application accepts any certificate presented by a server without proper authentication. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-295, which specifically addresses improper certificate validation in security protocols, and represents a classic example of insufficient certificate pinning or validation mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this weakness by setting up malicious man-in-the-middle positions to intercept and modify communications between the Baidu Navigation application and its servers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception to encompass complete session hijacking and potential data manipulation capabilities. An attacker positioned between the Android device and the Baidu server can craft malicious certificates that appear legitimate to the vulnerable application, enabling them to access sensitive user information such as location data, navigation preferences, personal identifiers, and potentially other user-specific data transmitted through the application. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1566, which involves phishing and social engineering attacks that leverage certificate manipulation to establish false trust relationships with mobile applications.
The security implications are particularly severe for navigation applications like Baidu Navigation, which handle highly sensitive location-based data and user privacy information. The vulnerability creates opportunities for attackers to track user movements, gather intelligence about user behavior patterns, and potentially manipulate navigation data to mislead users. Mitigation strategies should include implementing proper certificate pinning mechanisms, enforcing strict X.509 certificate validation procedures, and ensuring that all SSL/TLS connections undergo thorough certificate chain verification. Organizations should also consider deploying network monitoring tools to detect anomalous certificate behavior and implement regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in mobile applications. The fix requires updating the application to properly validate certificate chains and implement certificate pinning for critical server endpoints, ensuring that only certificates from trusted Certificate Authorities are accepted for secure communications.