CVE-2014-7565 in Rando Noeux
Summary
by MITRE
The Rando Noeux (aka com.gmteditions.NoeuxLesMinesDistrib) application 1.0.0 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.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/11/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-7565 affects the Rando Noeux Android application version 1.0.0, specifically targeting its implementation of secure communication protocols. This flaw represents a critical failure in the application's cryptographic security measures, where the software fails to properly validate X.509 certificates during SSL/TLS connections. The absence of certificate verification creates a significant security gap that enables malicious actors to exploit the communication channel between the mobile application and remote servers. This particular vulnerability falls under the category of weak cryptographic implementation as classified by CWE-310, specifically addressing the lack of proper certificate validation mechanisms. The issue directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of data transmitted through the application, making it susceptible to various forms of network-based attacks.
The technical flaw manifests in the application's failure to perform certificate pinning or proper certificate chain validation during SSL handshakes. When an Android application establishes a secure connection to a server, it should validate the server's X.509 certificate against a trusted certificate authority to ensure the authenticity of the endpoint. The Rando Noeux application bypasses this critical validation step, allowing attackers to present fraudulent certificates that appear legitimate to the application. This weakness enables man-in-the-middle attacks where adversaries can intercept, modify, or steal sensitive information transmitted between the mobile device and the server. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects the fundamental security protocol that should protect user data, making it an ideal target for attackers seeking to compromise user privacy and system integrity.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it fundamentally undermines the trust model that secure mobile applications should maintain. Attackers can exploit this flaw to conduct session hijacking, perform data exfiltration, or manipulate application functionality by impersonating legitimate servers. The vulnerability affects any sensitive information transmitted through the application, including user credentials, personal data, financial information, or proprietary content. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques such as T1046 (Network Service Scanning) and T1566 (Phishing), as attackers can leverage the insecure connection to establish persistent access to user accounts. The lack of certificate validation creates a persistent security weakness that remains exploitable until the application is updated with proper cryptographic verification mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-7565 require immediate implementation of proper certificate validation procedures within the application's network communication layer. Developers should implement certificate pinning to ensure that only specific certificates or certificate authorities are accepted for validation, preventing attackers from using fraudulent certificates. The application should incorporate robust certificate chain validation that verifies certificate signatures, expiration dates, and issuer information against trusted sources. Security measures should include implementing proper SSL/TLS configuration with strong cipher suites and ensuring that the application enforces certificate verification at all communication endpoints. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish secure development practices that include cryptographic security reviews during the application development lifecycle. This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to industry standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Mobile Security Project and NIST guidelines for mobile application security.