CVE-2016-1187 in KUNAI
Summary
by MITRE
Cybozu KUNAI for iPhone 2.0.3 through 3.1.5 and for Android 2.1.2 through 3.0.4 does not verify SSL certificates.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/19/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1187 affects Cybozu KUNAI mobile applications for both iOS and Android platforms, specifically targeting versions ranging from 2.0.3 through 3.1.5 for iPhone and 2.1.2 through 3.0.4 for Android. This represents a critical security flaw in the application's network communication security implementation, where the mobile client fails to properly validate SSL certificates during secure connections. The issue stems from inadequate certificate verification mechanisms that allow the application to establish connections without properly authenticating the server's identity, creating a fundamental weakness in the security architecture.
The technical flaw manifests as a failure to implement proper SSL/TLS certificate validation, which is a core security control designed to prevent man-in-the-middle attacks and ensure secure communication channels. When applications do not verify SSL certificates, they become susceptible to various attack vectors including certificate spoofing, where malicious actors can present fraudulent certificates to intercept or manipulate data transmission between the mobile client and backend servers. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-295, which specifically addresses "Improper Certificate Validation" and falls under the broader category of cryptographic failures in security implementations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, particularly for organizations relying on Cybozu KUNAI for business communications and data management. Mobile employees using these vulnerable applications become exposed to eavesdropping attacks where sensitive corporate data, personal information, and business communications can be intercepted without detection. The risk extends beyond simple data theft to include potential credential compromise, session hijacking, and unauthorized access to corporate resources. Organizations utilizing these applications face increased exposure to regulatory compliance violations, particularly under standards such as gdpr, hipaa, and pci dss that mandate proper cryptographic security controls. Attackers can exploit this weakness to perform passive monitoring of network traffic, potentially capturing login credentials, confidential documents, and business communications transmitted over the mobile application.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention and comprehensive implementation across affected systems. Organizations should prioritize updating to the latest versions of Cybozu KUNAI applications where certificate verification has been properly implemented and tested. The remediation process must include thorough security testing to ensure that SSL certificate validation functions correctly and that the application properly handles certificate validation failures. System administrators should implement network monitoring to detect potential certificate validation failures or unusual network behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network-level security controls such as certificate pinning, where applications are configured to accept only specific certificates or certificate authorities, adding an additional layer of protection beyond standard certificate validation mechanisms. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and following the principle of least privilege in mobile application security, ensuring that all communication channels maintain proper cryptographic integrity as defined by industry standards including those outlined in the mitre att&ck framework for mobile application security threats.