CVE-2014-7518 in Bowl Expo 2014
Summary
by MITRE
The Bowl Expo 2014 (aka com.coreapps.android.followme.bowlexpo14) application 6.1.1.5 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-2014-7518 affects the Bowl Expo 2014 Android application version 6.1.1.5, representing a critical security flaw in the application's implementation of secure communications. This issue stems from the application's failure to properly validate X.509 certificates during SSL/TLS connections, creating a significant attack surface that compromises the integrity of data transmission between the mobile client and remote servers. The vulnerability specifically targets the certificate verification process that should establish trust between the Android application and SSL servers, leaving users exposed to potential interception and manipulation of sensitive information.
This technical flaw constitutes a classic implementation weakness in the application's cryptographic security measures, where proper certificate chain validation is bypassed or entirely omitted. The absence of X.509 certificate verification creates an environment where malicious actors can exploit the trust model by presenting fraudulent certificates that appear legitimate to the vulnerable application. This weakness allows attackers to perform man-in-the-middle attacks by intercepting communications and presenting their own certificates to establish seemingly secure connections with the application. The vulnerability directly relates to CWE-295, which addresses improper certificate validation in secure communications, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1573.002 for securing communications protocols through improper certificate validation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it enables attackers to obtain sensitive information that may include user credentials, personal data, financial information, or proprietary business data transmitted through the application. Mobile applications that rely on secure communication channels for user authentication, payment processing, or data synchronization become particularly vulnerable when they fail to properly validate SSL certificates. The consequences can range from privacy violations and identity theft to corporate espionage and regulatory compliance violations, especially when the application handles sensitive user information or financial transactions. Organizations deploying such applications face potential liability issues and reputational damage if user data is compromised through these certificate validation failures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-7518 should focus on implementing proper certificate validation mechanisms within the application's SSL/TLS implementation. Developers must ensure that the application performs thorough X.509 certificate chain validation, including checking certificate expiration dates, verifying certificate authorities, and implementing certificate pinning where appropriate. The solution requires updating the application code to enforce proper certificate verification procedures and potentially implementing certificate pinning to prevent the acceptance of fraudulent certificates. Additionally, organizations should consider network-level security controls such as SSL inspection and monitoring to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The remediation process should also include comprehensive security testing of all network communication components and adherence to industry standards like NIST SP 800-52 for certificate management and secure communications protocols.