CVE-2014-7459 in Press-Leader
Summary
by MITRE
The Press-Leader (aka com.soln.S95309F65AD59F99CFC2C710A517B0B7E) application 1.0011.b0011 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 • 10/07/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-7459 affects the Press-Leader Android application version 1.0011.b0011 which fails to properly validate X.509 certificates during SSL/TLS communications. This critical security flaw resides in the application's cryptographic implementation and represents a fundamental breakdown in secure communication protocols. The absence of proper certificate verification creates a pathway for malicious actors to perform man-in-the-middle attacks against users of the application, compromising the confidentiality and integrity of data transmitted between the mobile device and remote servers.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-295 which defines "Improper Certificate Validation" as a weakness where software fails to properly validate X.509 certificates during SSL/TLS connections. The flaw enables attackers to construct and present fraudulent certificates that the application will accept without proper validation, effectively bypassing the security mechanisms designed to establish trust between the client and server. The attack vector involves intercepting network traffic and substituting legitimate certificates with malicious ones that appear to be from trusted sources, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive user data and communications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it fundamentally undermines the security model of the application and exposes users to comprehensive surveillance and data manipulation capabilities. Mobile applications relying on this flawed implementation become susceptible to credential theft, session hijacking, and sensitive information disclosure including personal data, financial information, and potentially corporate secrets. The vulnerability affects any communication channel that depends on SSL/TLS encryption, making it particularly dangerous for applications handling user authentication, payment processing, or confidential information exchange.
Organizations and developers should implement immediate mitigations including updating the application to properly validate SSL certificates against trusted certificate authorities, implementing certificate pinning mechanisms, and ensuring all network communications utilize proper certificate verification routines. The remediation process should involve comprehensive code review of cryptographic implementations, adherence to industry standards such as NIST SP 800-57 for cryptographic key management, and implementation of certificate validation procedures that align with RFC 5280 requirements for X.509 certificate processing. Additionally, security professionals should consider implementing network monitoring solutions to detect potential certificate-based attacks and establish incident response protocols for rapid remediation of similar vulnerabilities across the organization's mobile application portfolio.