CVE-2014-7475 in Ionic View
Summary
by MITRE
The Ionic View (aka com.ionic.viewapp) application 0.0.2 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 • 10/07/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-7475 affects the Ionic View Android application version 0.0.2, representing a critical security flaw in certificate validation mechanisms. This issue falls under the broader category of insufficient certificate verification, which is classified as CWE-295 within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. The application's failure to properly validate X.509 certificates from SSL servers creates a significant attack surface that can be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability specifically targets the secure communication channel between the mobile application and remote servers, undermining the fundamental security assurances that SSL/TLS protocols are designed to provide.
The technical implementation flaw stems from the application's complete absence of certificate pinning or proper certificate chain validation procedures. When an Android application establishes SSL connections, it should validate the server's certificate against a trusted certificate authority to ensure the authenticity of the server. However, the Ionic View application bypasses this critical validation step, allowing attackers to present fraudulent certificates that appear legitimate to the application. This weakness enables man-in-the-middle attacks where adversaries can intercept and modify communications between the mobile device and target servers without detection. The vulnerability essentially removes the cryptographic security guarantees that SSL/TLS provides, making it possible for attackers to impersonate legitimate services.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates severe implications for data confidentiality and integrity. Attackers can exploit this weakness to obtain sensitive information transmitted through the application, including user credentials, personal data, and potentially business-critical information. The impact extends beyond simple data theft, as the vulnerability enables active attack vectors that can be leveraged for further compromise of the affected system. According to the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access and interception of communications, specifically targeting the network traffic security domain. The attack surface is particularly concerning for mobile applications that handle sensitive user data, as the vulnerability can be exploited from any network position where the attacker can intercept traffic.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-7475 should focus on implementing proper certificate validation mechanisms within the application. The recommended approach involves implementing certificate pinning, where the application explicitly trusts specific certificates or public keys rather than relying on the entire certificate chain validation process. Mobile security frameworks such as TrustKit or Android's Network Security Configuration can be employed to enforce certificate validation policies. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls including runtime application self-protection measures and continuous monitoring for unauthorized certificate modifications. The fix requires comprehensive code review and modification to ensure all SSL connections properly validate server certificates against trusted authorities. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to verify that certificate validation mechanisms remain effective against evolving attack techniques and that no similar vulnerabilities exist in other communication channels within the application.