CVE-2017-8943 in PUMATRAC App
Summary
by MITRE
The PUMA PUMATRAC app 3.0.2 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-2017-8943 affects the PUMA PUMATRAC mobile application version 3.0.2 for iOS devices, representing a critical security flaw in the application's cryptographic implementation. This weakness stems from the application's failure to properly validate X.509 certificates during SSL/TLS connections, creating a significant attack surface that exposes users to sophisticated man-in-the-middle threats. The vulnerability specifically impacts the secure communication channel between the mobile application and backend servers, potentially compromising the integrity and confidentiality of all data transmitted through the application.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-295, which addresses improper certificate validation in security protocols. The PUMA PUMATRAC app implements a flawed certificate verification mechanism that fails to properly validate the certificate chain, certificate expiration dates, and certificate signatures against trusted Certificate Authorities. This absence of proper certificate validation allows attackers to craft malicious certificates that appear legitimate to the application, bypassing the security controls designed to protect against unauthorized access. The vulnerability essentially removes the cryptographic assurance that data transmitted between the mobile device and servers remains secure and authentic, undermining the fundamental security model of SSL/TLS encryption.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates severe risks for both end-users and the organization operating the PUMA PUMATRAC application. Attackers can exploit this weakness to intercept and manipulate sensitive user data, including personal information, authentication credentials, and potentially financial or operational data transmitted through the application. The man-in-the-middle attack vector enables adversaries to establish fraudulent connections with the application's servers, allowing them to eavesdrop on communications, inject malicious content, or redirect users to malicious websites. This threat is particularly concerning for mobile applications that handle sensitive user information, as the attack can occur without user awareness and potentially compromise user accounts and system integrity.
The security implications of this vulnerability extend beyond immediate data theft to encompass broader operational risks that align with several ATT&CK framework techniques. Specifically, this weakness enables techniques such as T1046 Network Service Scanning and T1566 Phishing to be more effectively executed against the application's users. The vulnerability also supports credential access and data interception activities that could lead to privilege escalation and persistent access to the application's backend systems. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader attack surface that could be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks involving lateral movement and persistence within their networks.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating the PUMA PUMATRAC application to a version that properly implements certificate validation, ensuring that all SSL/TLS connections perform proper certificate chain validation, and implementing additional monitoring for suspicious network traffic patterns. The recommended approach involves enforcing strict certificate pinning mechanisms, implementing proper certificate revocation checking, and ensuring that all network communications validate certificate signatures against trusted root certificates. Additionally, organizations should conduct security assessments to identify other applications that may exhibit similar certificate validation weaknesses and implement comprehensive network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper cryptographic implementation in mobile applications and underscores the necessity of following established security standards and best practices for SSL/TLS certificate validation.