CVE-2014-7528 in Horsepower
Summary
by MITRE
The Horsepower (aka com.apptive.android.apps.horsepower) application 2.10.11 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 • 10/10/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-7528 affects the Horsepower Android application version 2.10.11, representing a critical security flaw in the application's secure communication implementation. 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 encrypted communications between the mobile client and remote servers. The flaw directly enables man-in-the-middle attacks where adversaries can intercept and manipulate data transmission without detection, undermining the fundamental security guarantees that SSL/TLS protocols are designed to provide.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the application's improper certificate verification mechanism, which violates established security best practices for mobile application development. When an Android application establishes SSL connections, it should validate the server's X.509 certificate against a trusted certificate authority to ensure the authenticity of the remote server. The Horsepower application's failure to perform this validation means it accepts any certificate presented by a server, including those generated by attackers. This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-295, which addresses "Improper Certificate Validation," and represents a classic example of weak cryptographic implementation that leaves applications exposed to cryptographic attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it enables attackers to not only eavesdrop on communications but also to inject malicious content into the application's data flows. An attacker positioned between the mobile device and the server can present a fraudulent certificate that appears legitimate to the vulnerable application, allowing them to decrypt and modify sensitive information transmitted by users. This could include personal data, login credentials, financial information, or other confidential communications that users expect to be protected through SSL/TLS encryption. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of all data transmitted through the application's network connections, making it particularly dangerous for applications handling sensitive user information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper certificate validation mechanisms within the application. Developers should implement certificate pinning to ensure that only specific certificates or certificate authorities are accepted, preventing attackers from using fraudulent certificates even if they can intercept communications. The application must be updated to perform standard X.509 certificate validation including checking certificate expiration dates, verifying certificate chains against trusted authorities, and implementing proper hostname verification. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring to detect potential man-in-the-middle attacks and establish secure communication protocols that align with industry standards such as those defined in the OWASP Mobile Security Project. This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper cryptographic implementation in mobile applications and serves as a reminder of the potential consequences when applications fail to properly validate SSL/TLS certificates, making it a prime example of how inadequate security controls can expose users to significant risk.