CVE-2016-1519 in Wave App
Summary
by MITRE
The com.softphone.common package in the Grandstream Wave app 1.0.1.26 and earlier for Android does not properly validate SSL certificates, which allows man-in-the-middle attackers to spoof the Grandstream provisioning server via a crafted certificate.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/01/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1519 resides within the com.softphone.common package of the Grandstream Wave mobile application version 1.0.1.26 and earlier for android platforms. This represents a critical security flaw that fundamentally compromises the integrity of secure communications between mobile devices and the Grandstream provisioning server. The issue manifests through inadequate SSL certificate validation mechanisms that fail to properly authenticate the legitimacy of server certificates presented during secure connections.
The technical flaw constitutes a failure in certificate validation protocols where the application accepts certificates without proper verification of their authenticity and trustworthiness. This weakness enables attackers to execute successful man-in-the-middle attacks by presenting crafted certificates that appear legitimate to the vulnerable application. The vulnerability specifically affects the SSL/TLS certificate validation process, which is a fundamental component of secure communications and is designed to prevent unauthorized parties from intercepting or impersonating legitimate services. The flaw essentially undermines the cryptographic security measures that protect sensitive provisioning data and device configuration information.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability exposes users to significant risks including unauthorized access to device provisioning settings, potential interception of sensitive communication data, and the possibility of malicious actors gaining control over connected telephony devices. The impact extends beyond individual device compromise to potentially affect entire network infrastructures that rely on Grandstream Wave for device management and configuration. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to modify provisioning configurations, redirect calls, or gain unauthorized access to corporate telephony systems. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where secure device provisioning is critical for maintaining network integrity and preventing unauthorized access to communication infrastructure.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-295, which addresses improper certificate validation in security protocols, and represents a clear violation of secure communication standards. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1566, specifically the technique of credential access through man-in-the-middle attacks, and T1071, which covers application layer protocol usage for communication. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the latest version of the Grandstream Wave application, implementing additional network-level security controls, and establishing certificate pinning mechanisms where possible. The remediation strategy should also include network monitoring for suspicious certificate validation patterns and regular security assessments of mobile application security practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of the telephony infrastructure.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the critical importance of proper SSL/TLS implementation in mobile applications and demonstrate how insufficient certificate validation can create pathways for sophisticated attacks. This flaw serves as a reminder of the necessity for comprehensive security testing of mobile applications, particularly those handling sensitive communication data. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security layers such as certificate transparency monitoring and network segmentation to reduce the potential impact of such vulnerabilities in their telephony environments.