CVE-2014-7612 in e-Kiosk
Summary
by MITRE
The e-Kiosk (aka com.ekioskreader.android.pdfviewer) application 1.74 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-2014-7612 affects the e-Kiosk Android application version 1.74, specifically targeting its implementation of secure communication protocols. This application, designed for reading PDF documents on android devices, fails to properly validate SSL/TLS certificates during network connections, creating a critical security gap that exposes users to sophisticated attack vectors. The flaw resides in the application's cryptographic handshake process where it accepts any certificate presented by a server without performing the essential certificate chain validation procedures that are fundamental to establishing secure communications.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the application's improper handling of X.509 certificate verification mechanisms within its SSL/TLS implementation. When the e-Kiosk application establishes connections to remote servers, it does not perform certificate pinning, hostname verification, or chain of trust validation that would normally occur in secure communication protocols. This omission allows attackers to exploit the trust model by presenting forged certificates that appear legitimate to the application, effectively bypassing the security measures designed to protect user data and system integrity. The vulnerability directly relates to CWE-295, which addresses "Improper Certificate Validation," and represents a fundamental failure in the application's security architecture.
Operationally, this vulnerability creates significant risks for users who rely on the e-Kiosk application for accessing sensitive documents or performing transactions over network connections. Attackers can exploit this weakness through man-in-the-middle attacks, intercepting communications between the application and legitimate servers to steal confidential information, modify data in transit, or redirect users to malicious sites. The impact extends beyond simple data theft to include potential system compromise, especially if the application handles authentication credentials or sensitive personal information. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where users might access confidential business documents or financial information through the application.
Organizations and users should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the latest version of the e-Kiosk application where the certificate validation has been properly implemented, or alternatively deploying network-level security controls such as proxy servers with SSL inspection capabilities. Network administrators should consider implementing certificate transparency monitoring and intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper certificate validation in mobile applications and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1046, which involves the use of man-in-the-middle attacks to intercept communications. Additionally, this issue highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of mobile applications, particularly those handling sensitive data, and reinforces the requirements specified in NIST SP 800-53 controls for secure configuration and cryptographic module validation.