CVE-2014-7520 in Nova 92.1 FM
Summary
by MITRE
The Nova 92.1 FM (aka com.wNova921FM) 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.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-7520 affects the Nova 92.1 FM Android application version 1.0, specifically targeting the application's secure communication implementation. This flaw represents a critical security weakness in the mobile application's cryptographic handshake process, where the software fails to properly validate SSL/TLS certificates presented by remote servers. The application's failure to implement proper certificate verification creates a significant attack surface that enables malicious actors to exploit the communication channel between the mobile device and backend servers. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of data transmitted through the application, as it removes the fundamental security guarantee that certificates provide in establishing trust between client and server components.
The technical implementation flaw stems from the application's complete absence of X.509 certificate validation during the SSL/TLS connection establishment phase. When an Android application establishes a secure connection to a server, it should verify that the server's certificate is valid, properly signed by a trusted Certificate Authority, and matches the expected domain name. The Nova 92.1 FM application bypasses these essential validation steps, allowing any certificate to be accepted regardless of its authenticity or trustworthiness. This behavior creates a man-in-the-middle attack vector where attackers can intercept communications by presenting forged certificates that appear legitimate to the vulnerable application. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-295, which specifically addresses improper certificate validation in secure communication protocols.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it enables sophisticated attack scenarios that can compromise user privacy and application security. Attackers can exploit this weakness to eavesdrop on sensitive communications, potentially capturing user credentials, personal information, or other confidential data transmitted through the application. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects a media streaming application that likely handles user preferences, account information, and potentially location data. Mobile applications that fail to implement proper certificate validation create persistent security risks that can be exploited across multiple sessions and user interactions. This weakness also violates fundamental security principles outlined in the OWASP Mobile Security Project, which emphasizes the importance of proper cryptographic implementation in mobile applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper SSL/TLS certificate validation within the application's network communication layer. The application must be updated to enforce certificate chain validation, including checking certificate signatures, expiration dates, and domain name matching against the expected server identity. Security professionals should implement certificate pinning mechanisms to further strengthen the trust model and prevent attackers from using compromised certificates. The remediation process should follow established security frameworks such as the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and adhere to industry standards like the Android Security Best Practices guidelines. Additionally, implementing proper logging and monitoring of certificate validation failures can help detect potential attacks and provide forensic evidence of exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime application self-protection measures and regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other mobile applications within their portfolio.