CVE-2017-3190 in Flash Seats Mobile App
Summary
by MITRE
Flash Seats Mobile App for Android version 1.7.9 and earlier and for iOS version 1.9.51 and earlier fails to properly validate SSL certificates provided by HTTPS connections, which may enable an attacker to conduct man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-3190 affects the Flash Seats mobile application across both android and ios platforms, specifically targeting versions up to and including android 1.7.9 and ios 1.9.51. This flaw represents a critical security weakness in the application's implementation of secure communication protocols, particularly concerning how it handles ssl certificate validation during https connections. The issue stems from insufficient certificate validation mechanisms that fail to properly verify the authenticity and integrity of ssl certificates presented by remote servers, creating a significant attack surface for malicious actors.
The technical implementation flaw lies in the application's failure to perform proper ssl certificate validation, which is a fundamental security control designed to prevent man-in-the-middle attacks. When an application properly validates ssl certificates, it ensures that the server it communicates with is indeed the legitimate entity it claims to be, and that the communication channel remains secure from eavesdropping or tampering. The absence of proper certificate validation means that attackers can potentially intercept communications between the mobile application and its backend servers, allowing them to decrypt sensitive data, inject malicious content, or redirect users to fraudulent endpoints. This vulnerability directly violates security principles outlined in the owasp mobile top 10 and represents a classic example of improper certificate validation as classified under cwe-295.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it enables attackers to conduct sophisticated man-in-the-middle attacks against users of the Flash Seats application. Attackers can exploit this weakness in wifi networks, public hotspots, or compromised networks to intercept and manipulate communications between the mobile application and its servers. This could result in the exposure of sensitive user information including personal data, payment details, and authentication credentials. The vulnerability particularly affects applications handling financial transactions or personal information, making it a prime target for cybercriminals seeking to exploit mobile banking or ticketing applications. The attack surface extends beyond simple data interception to include potential session hijacking, credential theft, and data manipulation attacks that could compromise user privacy and application integrity.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-3190 should focus on immediate remediation through application updates that implement proper ssl certificate validation mechanisms. Organizations should ensure that all mobile applications perform comprehensive certificate validation including chain of trust verification, certificate expiration checks, and hostname verification against the ssl certificate presented by the server. The implementation should follow established security frameworks such as those outlined in the nist cybersecurity framework and iso/iec 27001 standards for secure application development. Additionally, developers should implement certificate pinning techniques where appropriate to further strengthen the security posture against certificate-based attacks. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to verify that certificate validation mechanisms remain effective against evolving attack vectors. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security libraries and frameworks within mobile applications, as outdated components often contain known security flaws that can be exploited by threat actors. This case study serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper implementation of cryptographic protocols in mobile applications, particularly those handling sensitive user data and financial transactions.