CVE-2014-7591 in Demon
Summary
by MITRE
The Demon (aka com.ireadercity.c24) application 3.0.2 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-2014-7591 represents a critical security flaw in the Demon application version 3.0.2 for Android platforms. This application, which operates under the package name com.ireadercity.c24, demonstrates a fundamental failure in implementing proper SSL/TLS certificate validation mechanisms. The flaw resides in the application's inability to properly verify X.509 certificates presented by SSL servers during secure communication sessions, creating a significant attack surface that adversaries can exploit to compromise user data integrity and confidentiality.
This technical weakness directly violates established security protocols and standards, specifically targeting the core principle of certificate-based authentication that forms the foundation of secure communications. The vulnerability creates a scenario where malicious actors can perform man-in-the-middle attacks by presenting crafted certificates that appear legitimate to the vulnerable application. The absence of certificate verification means that the application accepts any certificate presented by a server without validating its authenticity, trust chain, or cryptographic integrity. This failure represents a classic implementation of CWE-295, which focuses on improper certificate validation in security protocols, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1041 where adversaries exploit weak certificate validation to intercept communications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it enables attackers to establish false trust relationships with users. When users interact with the application, they unknowingly communicate with compromised servers that can decrypt, modify, or steal sensitive information including personal data, login credentials, financial information, or other confidential content. The vulnerability affects all communication channels within the application that rely on SSL/TLS encryption, making it particularly dangerous for applications handling user authentication, payment processing, or sensitive personal information. The attack vector is particularly insidious because it requires no special privileges or complex exploitation techniques, as the vulnerability exists in the application's core security implementation rather than requiring user interaction or system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-7591 must address the fundamental flaw in certificate validation implementation. The most effective approach involves implementing proper SSL/TLS certificate validation by incorporating robust certificate pinning mechanisms, ensuring that the application validates certificate chains against trusted certificate authorities, and implementing certificate fingerprint verification. Security practitioners should also consider implementing certificate transparency checks and establishing secure communication protocols that enforce certificate validation at the application level. Additionally, the application should be updated to include proper error handling for certificate validation failures, ensuring that any certificate verification issues result in immediate connection termination rather than proceeding with insecure communications. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring to detect potential man-in-the-middle attacks and establish regular security audits to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications or systems. The fix requires comprehensive code review and implementation of industry-standard secure coding practices, ensuring that all SSL/TLS connections properly validate certificate authenticity and maintain the integrity of secure communications.