CVE-2014-7597 in Fabulas Infantiles
Summary
by MITRE
The Fabulas Infantiles (aka com.mobincube.android.sc_9I1A3) application 3.0.0 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.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/12/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-7597 affects the Fabulas Infantiles Android application version 3.0.0, representing a critical security flaw in the application's implementation of secure communication protocols. This vulnerability resides within the application's SSL/TLS certificate validation mechanism, which is fundamental to establishing trust between mobile applications and remote servers. The issue manifests when the application fails to properly verify X.509 certificates presented by SSL servers during secure connections, creating a significant security gap that can be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical flaw stems from the application's improper handling of certificate validation processes, specifically the absence of certificate chain validation and trust verification. This weakness allows attackers to perform man-in-the-middle attacks by presenting forged SSL certificates that appear legitimate to the vulnerable application. The certificate verification process typically involves checking certificate signatures against trusted Certificate Authority (CA) roots, validating certificate expiration dates, and ensuring proper certificate chain integrity. When these checks are bypassed or inadequately implemented, as demonstrated in this vulnerability, the application becomes susceptible to cryptographic attacks that compromise the confidentiality and integrity of data transmitted between the mobile device and remote servers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information that users expect to be protected through secure communication channels. Mobile applications that handle personal data, user credentials, or financial information are particularly at risk when such certificate validation flaws exist. The vulnerability affects the fundamental security model of the application, potentially allowing attackers to decrypt communications, modify data in transit, or even redirect users to malicious websites that appear legitimate. This poses significant risks to user privacy and data security, especially considering that the application targets children and families who may be less aware of security threats.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-295, which specifically addresses "Improper Certificate Validation," and represents a classic example of how mobile applications can fail to implement proper cryptographic security measures. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this weakness maps to techniques involving credential access and data interception, as attackers can leverage the vulnerability to capture sensitive user information. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of implementing proper certificate pinning mechanisms and robust certificate validation routines in mobile applications. Organizations should consider implementing certificate pinning strategies, where applications maintain a whitelist of trusted certificates or public keys, and ensure that all SSL/TLS connections undergo thorough validation before establishing secure communication channels. Additionally, regular security assessments and code reviews focused on cryptographic implementation practices are essential for preventing similar vulnerabilities in mobile application development.
The remediation approach for this vulnerability requires immediate implementation of proper certificate validation procedures within the application's network communication layer. Developers must ensure that all SSL/TLS connections verify certificate chains against trusted root certificates, validate certificate expiration dates, and implement proper certificate pinning where appropriate. The application should incorporate robust error handling for certificate validation failures and reject connections when certificate verification processes fail. Security updates should be deployed promptly to address the vulnerability, and developers should follow established security guidelines for mobile application development to prevent similar issues in future releases.