CVE-2014-7638 in Fabuestereo 88.1 FM
Summary
by MITRE
The Fabuestereo 88.1 FM (aka com.nobexinc.wls_27892411.rc) application 3.2.3 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 • 10/13/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-7638 affects the Fabuestereo 88.1 FM Android application version 3.2.3, specifically targeting the application's 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 undermines the integrity of encrypted communications between the mobile client and remote servers. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it directly impacts the application's ability to establish trust with legitimate servers while simultaneously enabling malicious actors to exploit the communication channel.
The technical flaw manifests as a missing certificate validation mechanism within the application's SSL implementation, which falls under CWE-295, which specifically addresses improper certificate validation. This weakness allows attackers to perform man-in-the-middle attacks by presenting forged SSL certificates that appear legitimate to the vulnerable application. The application's failure to verify certificate chains, validate certificate authorities, or check certificate expiration dates creates an environment where attackers can intercept and manipulate data transmission without detection. The vulnerability affects the application's network security posture by eliminating the cryptographic assurances that SSL/TLS protocols are designed to provide.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it enables attackers to gain access to sensitive information transmitted through the application's communication channels. This includes but is not limited to user credentials, personal data, configuration settings, and potentially proprietary information. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited across multiple sessions and interactions with the application, making it particularly dangerous for applications handling confidential user information. Attackers can leverage this weakness to establish persistent surveillance capabilities or execute data exfiltration operations without raising immediate alarms.
From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1046, which involves network service scanning and reconnaissance activities that can lead to credential theft and data access. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1566, which involves social engineering and credential access through man-in-the-middle attacks. Organizations and users of this application face significant risk as the vulnerability can be exploited by threat actors with relatively low technical expertise, making it a popular target for automated attacks and credential harvesting operations.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper certificate validation mechanisms within the application's SSL/TLS implementation, including certificate pinning, proper certificate chain validation, and regular certificate authority verification. The application should enforce strict certificate validation policies that align with industry best practices and security standards such as those outlined in NIST SP 800-52 and RFC 5280. Additionally, implementing network monitoring and intrusion detection systems can help identify suspicious activities that may indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to ensure that certificate validation mechanisms remain robust against evolving attack techniques and that the application maintains adequate security controls throughout its lifecycle.