CVE-2015-3610 in HomeControl for Room Automation
Summary
by MITRE
The Siemens HomeControl for Room Automation application before 2.0.1 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 or modify data 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 • 05/10/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-3610 affects the Siemens HomeControl for Room Automation Android application version 2.0.0 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw in the application's secure communication implementation. This weakness resides in the application's failure to properly validate X.509 certificates during SSL/TLS connections, creating a significant attack surface that compromises the integrity and confidentiality of data transmitted between the mobile device and the home automation servers. The vulnerability stems from improper certificate validation mechanisms that allow the application to accept any certificate without performing the necessary cryptographic verification steps required to establish trust in the communication channel.
The technical flaw manifests as a failure to implement proper certificate chain validation, hostname verification, and signature validation procedures that are fundamental requirements for secure SSL/TLS communication. According to CWE-295, this vulnerability maps directly to "Improper Certificate Validation" where the application fails to properly validate the authenticity and integrity of SSL certificates presented by servers. The absence of certificate pinning or proper trust store validation means that attackers can successfully perform man-in-the-middle attacks by presenting maliciously crafted certificates that appear legitimate to the vulnerable application. This flaw operates at the transport layer security validation level and represents a classic example of insufficient cryptographic validation as outlined in the NIST SP 800-52 standard for secure communication protocols.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it enables attackers to not only eavesdrop on communications but also to actively modify data being transmitted between the mobile application and the home automation infrastructure. This capability allows threat actors to manipulate home automation settings, potentially gaining unauthorized access to connected devices, altering security configurations, or extracting sensitive user information including authentication credentials and personal data. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in home automation environments where the compromised application may control critical systems such as lighting, heating, security systems, and access control mechanisms. Attackers could exploit this weakness to gain persistent access to home networks or to disrupt critical automation functions, making this a significant risk for both individual users and commercial installations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-3610 should prioritize immediate application updates to version 2.0.1 or later, which presumably includes proper certificate validation mechanisms. Organizations and users should implement additional network-level security controls such as network segmentation, firewall rules, and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious communication patterns. The implementation of certificate pinning within the application would provide an additional layer of protection by ensuring that only specific trusted certificates are accepted, preventing attackers from using forged certificates even if they can intercept communications. According to the ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with T1046 Network Service Scanning and T1566 Phishing, as attackers could leverage the compromised communication channel to establish further footholds within home networks or to deliver additional malicious payloads. Regular security audits and penetration testing of home automation systems should include verification of SSL certificate validation mechanisms to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future implementations.