CVE-2015-4094 in Password Manager Secret Server
Summary
by MITRE
The Thycotic Password Manager Secret Server application through 2.3 for iOS 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 • 04/03/2019
The Thycotic Password Manager Secret Server application version 2.3 for iOS presents a critical security vulnerability that fundamentally undermines the integrity of secure communications between mobile clients and backend servers. This flaw exists within the application's SSL/TLS certificate validation mechanism, where the software fails to properly verify X.509 certificates presented by SSL servers during connection establishment. The vulnerability represents a classic man-in-the-middle attack vector that enables malicious actors to intercept and manipulate communications without detection. Security researchers have identified this weakness as a significant risk to organizations relying on the application for password management and credential storage operations. The impact extends beyond simple data interception to potentially compromise sensitive authentication information and privileged access credentials stored within the system.
The technical flaw manifests in the application's failure to implement proper certificate chain validation and trust verification processes. When establishing secure connections to backend servers, the iOS application does not perform the necessary cryptographic checks that would normally validate certificate authenticity through trusted certificate authorities. This omission creates a scenario where attackers can generate and present fraudulent certificates that appear legitimate to the vulnerable application. The vulnerability directly corresponds to CWE-295, which addresses "Improper Certificate Validation," and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for credential access through phishing attacks that exploit weak certificate validation. The absence of certificate pinning or additional validation layers leaves the application susceptible to attacks where adversaries can establish fraudulent secure connections while appearing to be legitimate servers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple network monitoring capabilities. Organizations using the affected Secret Server application face potential exposure of critical credentials, privileged account information, and sensitive organizational data that flows through the insecure communication channels. Attackers could exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to password databases, extract stored credentials, and potentially escalate privileges within the organization's security infrastructure. The vulnerability affects the core security model of the password management system, undermining the trust relationship between mobile users and backend services. This weakness is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where password managers serve as central repositories for authentication credentials, potentially enabling attackers to move laterally through networks using stolen or compromised credentials. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive information flows, creating risks for compliance with security standards such as pci dss and hipaa.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of certificate validation enhancements within the application's security framework. Organizations should prioritize updating to newer versions of the Secret Server application that address the certificate validation flaw, while implementing additional network security controls such as network segmentation and intrusion detection systems. Security teams should consider implementing certificate pinning mechanisms where possible, and establish monitoring for suspicious certificate validation behaviors. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper cryptographic implementation in mobile security applications, particularly those handling sensitive credential information. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security assessments of their mobile application environments to identify similar validation weaknesses. The incident highlights the necessity of adhering to security standards like iso 27001 and nist cyber security framework, which emphasize the importance of secure communication protocols and proper certificate management practices in protecting sensitive information assets.