CVE-2014-7779 in Kuranin Bilimsel Mucizeleri
Summary
by MITRE
The Kuran in Bilimsel Mucizeleri (aka com.wKurannBilimselMucizeleri) application 0.1 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 • 10/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-7779 affects the Kuran in Bilimsel Mucizeleri Android application version 0.1, representing a critical security flaw in the application's implementation of secure communication protocols. This issue stems from the application's failure to properly validate X.509 certificates during SSL/TLS connections, creating a significant attack surface that adversaries can exploit to compromise user data integrity and confidentiality. The vulnerability specifically targets the certificate verification process within the application's network communication stack, where proper validation of server certificates is omitted during the secure connection establishment phase.
The technical implementation flaw manifests as a complete absence of certificate validation mechanisms within the application's SSL/TLS handshake process. This deficiency allows attackers to perform man-in-the-middle attacks by presenting forged certificates that appear legitimate to the vulnerable application. The application accepts any certificate presented by a server without performing the necessary cryptographic verification steps that include checking certificate authority signatures, expiration dates, and subject alternative names. This behavior directly violates fundamental security principles of certificate-based authentication and creates an environment where malicious actors can intercept and manipulate communications between the mobile application and its remote servers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception to encompass comprehensive information disclosure and potential system compromise. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain access to sensitive user information, including personal data, authentication credentials, and potentially financial information if the application handles such data. The vulnerability affects all users of the affected application version, creating a widespread security risk that persists until the application is updated or the vulnerability is patched. Additionally, the compromised communication channel can enable further attacks such as session hijacking, credential theft, and data manipulation, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where the application processes sensitive information.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-295, which specifically addresses improper certificate validation in security protocols, and represents a clear violation of the principle of certificate pinning and proper SSL/TLS implementation. The attack vector follows patterns consistent with those documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1046 technique for network service scanning and T1566 for credential access through man-in-the-middle attacks. Organizations and developers should implement comprehensive certificate validation mechanisms that include proper certificate chain validation, revocation checking through CRL or OCSP, and consideration of certificate pinning strategies to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in mobile applications.
The recommended mitigation strategies include immediate implementation of proper certificate validation within the application's SSL/TLS communication layer, ensuring that all certificates are verified against trusted certificate authorities, and implementing certificate pinning where appropriate to prevent certificate substitution attacks. Developers should also consider implementing additional security measures such as certificate revocation checking and regular security audits of network communication components. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper cryptographic implementation in mobile applications and underscores the need for comprehensive security testing that includes network protocol validation and secure communication channel establishment processes.