CVE-2014-7510 in Graffit It
Summary
by MITRE
The Graffit It (aka com.presenttechnologies.graffitit) application 1.1.2 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 • 10/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-7510 affects the Graffit It Android application version 1.1.2, specifically targeting its implementation of secure communication protocols. This issue represents a critical failure in the application's cryptographic security mechanisms, where the software fails to properly validate SSL/TLS certificates presented by remote servers during network connections. The absence of certificate verification creates a significant security gap that can be exploited by malicious actors to establish fraudulent communication channels with the application.
The technical flaw manifests in the application's inability to perform proper X.509 certificate validation during SSL handshakes, which is a fundamental security requirement for establishing trust in secure communications. This weakness directly violates established security protocols and standards, as the application accepts any certificate presented by a server without verifying its authenticity through trusted certificate authorities. The vulnerability stems from improper implementation of certificate pinning or certificate validation logic, leaving the application susceptible to man-in-the-middle attacks where attackers can intercept and manipulate communications between the mobile application and backend servers.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability exposes users to significant risks including data interception, session hijacking, and credential theft. Attackers can create malicious certificates that appear legitimate to the application, allowing them to decrypt and modify sensitive information transmitted between the mobile device and servers. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it operates at the network layer, making it difficult for end users to detect unauthorized interference. This vulnerability undermines the integrity of all data exchanges within the application, potentially compromising user privacy, financial information, and business-critical data.
The security implications extend beyond simple information disclosure, as this vulnerability aligns with multiple ATT&CK techniques including T1041 (Exfiltration Over C2 Channel) and T1566 (Phishing) by enabling attackers to establish persistent communication channels. From a CWE perspective, this represents a variant of CWE-295 (Improper Certificate Validation) which specifically addresses failures in validating SSL/TLS certificates. The vulnerability also connects to CWE-310 (Cryptographic Issues) and CWE-319 (Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information) as it enables unauthorized access to sensitive data through insecure communications. Organizations using this application face potential compliance violations under regulations such as pci dss, hipaa, and gdpr due to the exposure of sensitive data through insecure network communications.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate implementation of proper certificate validation mechanisms, including certificate pinning, and ensuring all SSL/TLS connections verify certificates against trusted certificate authorities. The application should be updated to enforce certificate chain validation and implement proper error handling for certificate validation failures. Network administrators should monitor for suspicious certificate activity and consider implementing additional security controls such as network segmentation and traffic monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of proper cryptographic implementation in mobile applications and the necessity of adhering to established security frameworks and best practices for secure communications.