CVE-2014-7590 in WebPromoExperts
Summary
by MITRE
The WebPromoExperts (aka ua.com.webpromoexperts) application 1.8 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 • 10/12/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-7590 affects the WebPromoExperts Android application version 1.8, presenting a critical security flaw in the application's SSL certificate validation mechanism. This weakness resides in the application's failure to properly verify X.509 certificates from SSL servers, creating a significant attack surface that adversaries can exploit to compromise the integrity of secure communications. The vulnerability directly relates to improper certificate validation practices that violate fundamental security principles for secure network communications.
The technical flaw manifests in the application's implementation of SSL/TLS connections where it bypasses the standard certificate verification process that should validate the authenticity of server certificates against trusted certificate authorities. This omission allows attackers to perform man-in-the-middle attacks by presenting crafted certificates that appear legitimate to the vulnerable application. The application accepts these fraudulent certificates without proper validation, enabling attackers to intercept, modify, or steal sensitive information transmitted between the mobile device and remote servers. This behavior represents a violation of the security principle of certificate pinning and proper trust validation mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it fundamentally undermines the confidentiality and integrity of all communications between the Android application and backend servers. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain access to user credentials, personal information, financial data, and other sensitive payloads that users expect to be protected through secure SSL connections. The vulnerability affects any data transmission that relies on the application's network connectivity, potentially exposing users to identity theft, financial fraud, and privacy violations. This weakness is particularly dangerous in mobile environments where users may access sensitive applications over untrusted networks.
Organizations and developers should address this vulnerability through immediate implementation of proper SSL certificate validation mechanisms, including certificate pinning and validation against trusted certificate authorities. The remediation approach should align with industry standards such as those defined in CWE-295, which specifically addresses improper certificate validation, and should follow ATT&CK framework techniques related to credential access and defense evasion. Security patches should enforce strict certificate validation, implement certificate pinning for critical communications, and ensure that all SSL/TLS connections properly validate server certificates against established trust chains. Additionally, regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to prevent similar implementation flaws in future mobile applications and maintain compliance with security best practices for mobile platform development.