CVE-2017-5909 in Mobile Driver Source App
Summary
by MITRE
The Electronic Funds Source (EFS) Mobile Driver Source app 2.5 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.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/24/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5909 affects the Electronic Funds Source EFS Mobile Driver Source app version 2.5 on iOS devices, representing a critical security flaw in the application's certificate validation mechanism. This weakness stems from the app's failure to properly verify X.509 certificates during SSL/TLS connections, creating a significant attack surface that adversaries can exploit to compromise the security of financial transactions and sensitive data communications.
The technical flaw manifests in the app's complete absence of SSL certificate verification during network communications, which directly violates fundamental security principles outlined in industry standards such as CWE-295. This vulnerability creates a man-in-the-middle attack vector where malicious actors can intercept communications between the mobile application and backend servers by presenting forged SSL certificates. The absence of certificate pinning and proper validation routines means that the app accepts any certificate presented by a server, regardless of its authenticity or trust chain.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability exposes users to severe financial and data security risks, particularly given that the application is designed for mobile driver source functionality within financial services environments. Attackers can exploit this weakness to intercept sensitive transaction data, user credentials, and personal information transmitted between the mobile device and financial servers. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for credential access through phishing and T1041 for data exfiltration, making it particularly dangerous for financial institutions and their customers. The attack surface is further expanded because the vulnerability exists in a mobile application context, where users may be operating in unsecured public networks, increasing the likelihood of successful interception attacks.
The security implications extend beyond simple data theft to include potential fraud and unauthorized financial transactions that could result in significant monetary losses. The vulnerability affects not only the immediate user but also the broader financial ecosystem that relies on secure communications between mobile applications and backend services. Organizations using this application should implement immediate mitigations including certificate pinning mechanisms, proper SSL verification enforcement, and network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper implementation of cryptographic protocols in mobile applications handling sensitive financial data, as outlined in security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-57 and OWASP Mobile Security Project recommendations.