CVE-2017-8938 in Radio Javan App
Summary
by MITRE
The Radio Javan app 9.3.4 through 9.6.1 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.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/26/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-8938 affects the Radio Javan mobile application version 9.3.4 through 9.6.1 on iOS platforms, representing a critical security flaw in the application's SSL/TLS certificate validation mechanism. This weakness stems from the application's failure to properly implement X.509 certificate verification during secure communications with backend servers. The absence of proper certificate validation creates a significant attack surface that enables malicious actors to execute man-in-the-middle attacks against unsuspecting users. According to the CWE classification system, this vulnerability corresponds to CWE-295 which specifically addresses improper certificate validation in secure communications. The flaw fundamentally undermines the cryptographic security assurances that SSL/TLS protocols are designed to provide, leaving users exposed to potential data interception and manipulation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs at the application layer where the iOS mobile app fails to perform certificate pinning or proper certificate chain validation when establishing secure connections to remote servers. Attackers can exploit this weakness by presenting a maliciously crafted X.509 certificate that appears legitimate to the application but is actually controlled by the attacker. This allows them to intercept and decrypt sensitive data transmitted between the mobile application and its servers, including user credentials, session tokens, and personal information. The vulnerability operates at the network security level and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1041 which describes data compression and encryption for exfiltration, as attackers can leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access to sensitive communications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it fundamentally compromises the trust relationship between users and the Radio Javan service. Mobile application users who rely on the service for audio streaming and content access face significant risks including identity theft, unauthorized account access, and potential exposure of personal information. The vulnerability affects all users of the affected application versions, creating a widespread security risk across the user base. Security professionals should note that this flaw represents a failure in the application's security architecture and demonstrates the critical importance of implementing proper certificate validation mechanisms in mobile applications. Organizations should consider implementing certificate pinning as a mitigation strategy, as this technique ensures that applications only accept specific certificates or certificate authorities, thereby preventing attackers from using fraudulent certificates to impersonate legitimate servers.
The implications of this vulnerability highlight the broader security challenges faced by mobile application developers in implementing robust cryptographic security measures. Mobile applications must properly validate SSL/TLS certificates to maintain secure communications and protect user data. The absence of certificate verification in the Radio Javan application represents a fundamental security oversight that could have been prevented through proper security testing and implementation of industry-standard security practices. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical need for developers to follow established security guidelines and to conduct thorough security assessments before deploying mobile applications to production environments. Organizations should also implement monitoring systems to detect potential exploitation attempts and ensure that all applications maintain up-to-date security measures to protect against evolving threats in the mobile security landscape.