CVE-2014-7690 in Shopping
Summary
by MITRE
The myfone Shopping (aka com.twm.pt.eccart) application 2.1.01.00.040 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 • 10/15/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2014-7690 represents a critical security flaw in the myfone Shopping Android application version 2.1.01.00.040 which operates under the package name com.twm.pt.eccart. This issue stems from the application's failure to properly validate X.509 certificates during SSL/TLS communications, creating a significant attack surface that malicious actors can exploit to compromise user data and system integrity. The vulnerability specifically affects the application's secure communication protocols, which are fundamental to protecting sensitive information transmitted between mobile clients and backend servers. From a security perspective, this represents a complete breakdown in the certificate validation mechanism that should normally serve as the first line of defense against man-in-the-middle attacks.
The technical flaw manifests as an improper implementation of SSL/TLS certificate verification within the Android application's network communication layer. When the application establishes secure connections to remote servers, it fails to perform the required certificate chain validation checks that would normally confirm the authenticity of the server's identity. This omission allows attackers to present fraudulent certificates that appear legitimate to the application, enabling them to intercept, modify, or steal sensitive data transmitted through the compromised connection. The vulnerability directly relates to CWE-295 which specifically addresses improper certificate validation in SSL/TLS implementations, and it aligns with ATT&CK technique T1041 which describes data encryption for exfiltration through compromised network communications. The application's failure to implement proper certificate pinning or validation creates a persistent security weakness that can be exploited across all network communications within the application's scope.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception to encompass potential financial fraud, identity theft, and unauthorized access to personal information. Users interacting with the myfone Shopping application may unknowingly transmit sensitive data such as login credentials, personal identification numbers, payment information, and other confidential details to attacker-controlled servers. The vulnerability affects all users of the specific application version, creating a widespread security risk that could compromise thousands of individual accounts and potentially expose corporate data if the application handles business-related transactions. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to conduct sophisticated attacks including session hijacking, credential theft, and data manipulation, with the potential to cause significant financial and reputational damage to both individual users and the organization operating the application.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-7690 should focus on implementing proper certificate validation mechanisms within the application's network layer. Security professionals should enforce certificate pinning practices that explicitly define trusted certificate authorities and prevent the application from accepting arbitrary certificates. The implementation should include proper SSL/TLS configuration that validates certificate chains against established trust stores and implements revocation checking mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous traffic patterns that might indicate certificate manipulation attempts. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability directly impacts adherence to security standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Mobile Security Project and NIST SP 800-53, which emphasize the importance of secure communication protocols in mobile applications. The recommended remediation includes updating the application code to properly implement certificate validation, conducting thorough security testing, and ensuring that all future application releases incorporate robust certificate handling mechanisms to prevent similar vulnerabilities from reoccurring.