CVE-2017-9578 in Mobile Banking App
Summary
by MITRE
The "RVCB Mobile" by RVCB Mobile Banking app 3.0.0 -- aka rvcb-mobile/id757928895 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.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/18/2019
The CVE-2017-9578 vulnerability affects the RVCB Mobile Banking application version 3.0.0 for iOS platforms, representing a critical security flaw in the mobile banking ecosystem. This vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate X.509 certificates during SSL/TLS connections, creating a significant attack vector that compromises the integrity of secure communications between mobile banking clients and backend servers.
The technical flaw manifests in the application's certificate verification process where it fails to perform proper validation of SSL server certificates. This weakness allows malicious actors to execute man-in-the-middle attacks by presenting forged certificates that appear legitimate to the vulnerable application. The absence of certificate pinning and proper validation mechanisms means that the mobile banking app cannot distinguish between authentic servers and compromised ones, effectively undermining the entire SSL/TLS security framework that protects sensitive financial data transmission.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates severe implications for both end-users and financial institutions. Attackers can intercept and manipulate sensitive banking information including account details, transaction records, and authentication credentials. The vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity of financial communications, potentially leading to unauthorized fund transfers, identity theft, and comprehensive financial fraud. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that this affects a mobile banking application where users frequently conduct sensitive transactions.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-295, which specifically addresses "Improper Certificate Validation," and corresponds to techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under credential access and defense evasion categories. This flaw represents a classic case of insufficient cryptographic validation that violates fundamental security principles for mobile banking applications. Organizations implementing mobile banking solutions must ensure proper certificate validation mechanisms are in place to prevent such attacks.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate implementation of proper certificate pinning mechanisms, enforcement of certificate validation procedures, and deployment of secure communication protocols that verify server certificates against trusted certificate authorities. Financial institutions should also consider implementing additional security layers such as mutual authentication, secure key management, and regular security audits to prevent similar vulnerabilities. The remediation process must address both the immediate certificate validation flaw and establish comprehensive security practices that align with industry standards for mobile banking security protocols.