CVE-2014-7498 in Space Cinema
Summary
by MITRE
The Space Cinema (aka it.thespacecinema.android) application 2.0.6 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 • 10/08/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-7498 affects the Space Cinema Android application version 2.0.6, representing a critical security flaw in the application's implementation of secure communication protocols. This issue falls under the category of weak cryptographic practices and certificate validation failures that can severely compromise user data integrity and confidentiality. The application's failure to properly validate X.509 certificates from SSL servers creates a significant attack vector that adversaries can exploit to establish fraudulent communication channels with users. The vulnerability directly impacts the application's ability to maintain secure connections with remote servers, effectively undermining the fundamental security assurances that SSL/TLS protocols are designed to provide.
The technical flaw manifests in the application's improper handling of SSL certificate verification processes, where the software fails to validate the authenticity and trustworthiness of server certificates presented during secure connections. This omission allows attackers to perform man-in-the-middle attacks by presenting forged certificates that appear legitimate to the application. The certificate validation process typically involves checking certificate chains, verifying digital signatures, confirming certificate expiration dates, and ensuring certificates are issued by trusted Certificate Authorities. When these checks are bypassed or improperly implemented, the application becomes vulnerable to cryptographic attacks that can intercept, modify, or steal sensitive data transmitted between the user's device and remote servers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception to encompass potential compromise of user credentials, personal information, and financial data that may be transmitted through the application. Attackers can exploit this weakness to impersonate legitimate servers and establish fraudulent communication channels, potentially gaining access to user accounts, credit card information, or other sensitive data. This vulnerability particularly affects applications that handle user authentication, payment processing, or personal data transmission, as the lack of certificate verification creates an environment where malicious actors can seamlessly intercept and manipulate data flows. The attack surface is broad since any communication channel that relies on SSL/TLS without proper certificate validation becomes susceptible to this type of exploitation.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-295, which addresses "Improper Certificate Validation," and represents a clear violation of security best practices outlined in various industry standards including NIST SP 800-57 and ISO/IEC 27001. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1041, which covers "Exfiltration Over C2 Channel," as compromised communication channels can facilitate data exfiltration. Organizations should implement robust certificate validation mechanisms that include proper certificate chain verification, CRL checking, and OCSP stapling to prevent such vulnerabilities. Mitigation strategies should involve immediate code review and implementation of proper SSL certificate validation routines, including certificate pinning where appropriate, and regular security assessments to ensure cryptographic implementations meet industry standards.
The remediation approach requires comprehensive code modifications to ensure that all SSL connections properly validate server certificates against trusted certificate authorities. Developers must implement proper certificate verification routines that check certificate validity periods, signature authenticity, and chain of trust. Additionally, the application should incorporate certificate pinning mechanisms to prevent the use of fraudulent certificates even if they appear valid. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other communication channels within the application. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous certificate usage patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of cryptographic implementation security and the necessity of adhering to established security frameworks and standards throughout the software development lifecycle.