CVE-2016-6231 in Safe Browser iOS
Summary
by MITRE
Kaspersky Safe Browser iOS before 1.7.0 does not verify X.509 certificates from SSL servers, which allows man-in-the-middle attackers to obtain sensitive information via a crafted certificate.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/04/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-6231 affects Kaspersky Safe Browser iOS versions prior to 1.7.0, representing a critical security flaw in the mobile browser's certificate validation mechanism. This issue stems from the application's failure to properly verify X.509 certificates during SSL/TLS connections, creating a significant attack surface that adversaries can exploit to compromise user data and communications. The flaw directly impacts the browser's ability to establish secure connections with web servers, undermining the fundamental security assurances that SSL/TLS protocols are designed to provide.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the certificate verification process within the Kaspersky Safe Browser's SSL stack. When the browser establishes secure connections, it should validate certificate chains against trusted root authorities and ensure proper certificate attributes including validity periods, subject names, and cryptographic signatures. However, the affected version fails to perform these essential validation checks, allowing malicious actors to present forged certificates that appear legitimate to the browser. This weakness specifically relates to the absence of certificate pinning mechanisms and proper certificate chain validation, enabling attackers to intercept and manipulate encrypted traffic between users and web services.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it enables sophisticated man-in-the-middle attacks that can compromise sensitive user information including login credentials, personal data, financial transactions, and confidential communications. Attackers can exploit this flaw in various scenarios such as public Wi-Fi networks, compromised networks, or through network-level interference to decrypt and modify traffic in transit. The vulnerability particularly affects users who rely on Kaspersky Safe Browser for sensitive online activities, making them susceptible to credential theft, session hijacking, and data manipulation attacks. This represents a direct violation of the security principles outlined in the OWASP Mobile Top 10 and aligns with attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1041 technique for data compression and T1566 for credential access through network injection.
The security implications of CVE-2016-6231 align with CWE-295, which specifically addresses improper certificate validation in security protocols. This weakness creates a trust boundary violation where the browser fails to maintain proper cryptographic assurances that users expect when connecting to secure websites. The vulnerability also connects to broader security concerns related to the CIA triad, particularly compromising the integrity and confidentiality of communications. Organizations and individuals using affected versions of Kaspersky Safe Browser face significant risk exposure, as the flaw essentially disables the browser's ability to perform basic security functions that are essential for protecting against network-based attacks. The remediation requires users to upgrade to Kaspersky Safe Browser version 1.7.0 or later, which implements proper certificate validation procedures and addresses the underlying cryptographic verification gaps that allowed attackers to bypass security controls. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper certificate validation in secure communication protocols and highlights the potential consequences of inadequate cryptographic implementation in mobile security applications.