CVE-2014-7596 in Paramore
Summary
by MITRE
The Paramore (aka uk.co.pixelkicks.paramore) application 2.3.4 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-2014-7596 affects the Paramore Android application version 2.3.4, specifically targeting its implementation of secure communication protocols. This weakness resides in the application's failure to properly validate X.509 certificates during SSL/TLS connections, creating a critical security gap that exposes users to sophisticated attack vectors. The flaw represents a fundamental breakdown in the application's cryptographic security framework, where the software accepts any certificate without performing the necessary verification steps that should confirm the authenticity and integrity of server credentials.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-295, which addresses improper certificate validation in secure communications. The application's SSL implementation lacks proper certificate chain validation, certificate pinning mechanisms, and hostname verification procedures that are essential for maintaining secure network connections. Attackers can exploit this weakness by presenting a maliciously crafted certificate that appears legitimate to the vulnerable application, thereby bypassing the security measures designed to protect against unauthorized access. This flaw essentially allows an attacker to establish a false identity within the communication channel, making it appear as though they are communicating with a legitimate server.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it enables comprehensive man-in-the-middle attacks that can compromise sensitive user information. When users interact with the application, their communications can be monitored, modified, or redirected without detection, potentially exposing personal data, authentication credentials, or confidential business information. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data transmitted through the application, creating opportunities for attackers to perform session hijacking, data manipulation, or complete credential theft operations. This type of attack can be particularly devastating in enterprise environments where the application might handle sensitive corporate data or financial transactions.
From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to several ATT&CK techniques including T1046 for network service scanning and T1566 for credential harvesting through social engineering. The attack surface created by this flaw allows threat actors to establish persistent access points within networks where the application is used, potentially enabling lateral movement and extended compromise. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including certificate pinning, proper SSL certificate validation, and regular security audits of mobile applications. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to industry standards such as NIST SP 800-52 for certificate management and RFC 6125 for hostname verification in secure communications.