CVE-2014-7508 in Help For Doc
Summary
by MITRE
The Help For Doc (aka com.childrens.physician.relations) application 1.0 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.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-7508 affects the Help For Doc Android application version 1.0, specifically targeting its implementation of secure communication protocols. This represents a critical security flaw in the application's approach to establishing trust with remote servers, as it fails to properly validate SSL/TLS certificates during the connection process. The application's insecure certificate verification mechanism creates a significant attack surface that adversaries can exploit to compromise the confidentiality and integrity of data transmitted between the mobile device and remote servers. This vulnerability is particularly concerning given that the application appears to handle sensitive medical information, making it a prime target for malicious actors seeking to intercept patient data or manipulate medical records.
The technical flaw stems from the application's failure to implement proper certificate pinning or validation procedures that are standard in secure mobile applications. When an Android application establishes an SSL connection, it should verify that the server's certificate is valid, properly signed by a trusted Certificate Authority, and matches the expected hostname. The Help For Doc application bypasses these essential security checks, allowing attackers to present fraudulent certificates that appear legitimate to the application. This weakness directly violates fundamental security principles outlined in the OWASP Mobile Security Project and aligns with CWE-295, which specifically addresses improper certificate validation in network communications. The vulnerability creates a man-in-the-middle attack vector where an attacker positioned between the mobile device and the server can intercept, modify, or steal sensitive information transmitted through the insecure connection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it fundamentally undermines the security model of the application and potentially exposes sensitive patient information to unauthorized parties. Mobile applications handling medical data are subject to strict regulatory requirements including HIPAA compliance, and this vulnerability could result in violations of data protection regulations. Attackers could exploit this weakness to access patient records, medical histories, or other confidential information that the application is designed to protect. The vulnerability also enables more sophisticated attacks such as session hijacking, data manipulation, or even the injection of malicious content into medical communications. From an attacker perspective, this represents a low-effort, high-impact vector that requires minimal technical expertise to exploit, making it particularly dangerous in environments where medical data is frequently transmitted over potentially unsecured networks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper SSL certificate validation mechanisms within the application. Developers should implement certificate pinning to ensure that only specific certificates or certificate authorities are accepted for connections to trusted servers. The application should also enforce strict hostname validation and implement proper error handling for certificate validation failures. Security best practices recommend following the Android Security Best Practices guidelines and implementing the Certificate Transparency framework where applicable. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring to detect potential man-in-the-middle attacks and establish secure communication channels using additional layers of encryption or secure protocols. The vulnerability highlights the importance of adhering to the principle of least privilege and secure coding practices as outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework for mobile application security, particularly in healthcare environments where data sensitivity requires robust protection mechanisms.