CVE-2014-7715 in GIGA HOBBY
Summary
by MITRE
The GIGA HOBBY (aka com.innopage.store.gigahobby) application 1.0.6 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.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/16/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-7715 affects the GIGA HOBBY Android application version 1.0.6, representing a critical security flaw in the application's implementation of secure communication protocols. This issue falls under the category of improper certificate validation, which is a fundamental weakness in cryptographic security implementations. The application's failure to properly verify X.509 certificates from SSL servers creates an exploitable condition that undermines the entire purpose of Transport Layer Security encryption. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability directly violates the principles of authentication and data integrity that SSL/TLS protocols are designed to provide.
The technical flaw manifests in the application's complete absence of certificate verification mechanisms during SSL handshakes. When the application establishes connections to remote servers, it accepts any certificate presented without validating the certificate chain, checking for proper signatures, or verifying the certificate against trusted Certificate Authorities. This behavior creates a man-in-the-middle attack vector where malicious actors can intercept communications by presenting forged certificates that appear legitimate to the vulnerable application. The vulnerability specifically relates to the absence of certificate pinning and trust validation checks, which are essential components of secure SSL/TLS implementation as outlined in industry standards such as CWE-295. The flaw essentially allows attackers to establish fraudulent secure connections that appear legitimate to the end-user application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it enables attackers to obtain sensitive information transmitted through the application's network connections. This includes but is not limited to user credentials, personal data, financial information, and any other sensitive content that the application might handle. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of all communications between the application and its backend servers, making it particularly dangerous for applications that handle user authentication or financial transactions. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability aligns with tactics described in the ATT&CK framework under the T1041 technique for Exfiltration Over C2 Channel, though in this case the channel is not a command and control channel but rather a legitimate communication path that has been compromised. The vulnerability essentially allows for passive data interception and active man-in-the-middle manipulation of communications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper certificate validation mechanisms within the application. The recommended approach includes implementing certificate pinning, where the application explicitly trusts specific certificates or certificate authorities rather than accepting any certificate presented. Additionally, the application should implement proper certificate chain validation, including signature verification, expiration date checks, and revocation status verification through mechanisms such as OCSP or CRL checking. Security best practices dictate that applications should never accept self-signed certificates or certificates from untrusted authorities without proper validation. Organizations should also consider implementing certificate transparency monitoring and regular security audits to detect similar issues in other applications. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to established security frameworks such as those recommended by NIST and OWASP, which emphasize the necessity of proper cryptographic implementation and certificate validation in mobile applications.