CVE-2019-16252 in Nutfind.com
Summary
by MITRE
Missing SSL Certificate Validation in the Nutfind.com application through 3.9.12 for Android allows a man-in-the-middle attacker to sniff and manipulate all API requests, including login credentials and location data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/13/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-16252 represents a critical security flaw in the Nutfind.com mobile application for android platforms version 3.9.12 and earlier. This issue stems from inadequate implementation of SSL certificate validation mechanisms within the application's network communication stack. The absence of proper certificate validation creates a significant attack surface that exposes users to sophisticated man-in-the-middle attacks, where malicious actors can intercept and manipulate all data transmitted between the mobile application and its remote servers.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-295, which specifically addresses improper certificate validation in secure communication protocols. When an application fails to properly validate SSL/TLS certificates, it essentially removes the cryptographic assurance that data remains confidential and authentic during transmission. In the context of Nutfind.com, this means that all API requests including sensitive authentication information, user credentials, and location data can be intercepted and modified by attackers positioned between the mobile device and the server infrastructure. The vulnerability operates at the transport layer security level, where the application should be enforcing certificate pinning or proper certificate chain validation to prevent unauthorized parties from establishing trusted connections.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception to encompass complete compromise of user privacy and application integrity. Attackers can not only eavesdrop on communications but also actively manipulate API responses, potentially redirecting users to malicious endpoints or injecting false location data. This presents a severe risk to user security, particularly given that the application handles login credentials and location information which are highly valuable to threat actors. The vulnerability affects all users of the affected android versions and creates persistent exposure since the flaw exists within the application's core networking implementation rather than being dependent on user behavior or network conditions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust SSL certificate validation mechanisms including certificate pinning, proper certificate chain validation, and ensuring that all network communications enforce strict security policies. Organizations should also consider implementing additional monitoring and detection capabilities to identify potential man-in-the-middle activities. The remediation process requires comprehensive code review and security testing of the application's networking components, with particular attention to how SSL certificates are validated and handled during runtime operations. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper cryptographic implementation in mobile applications and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1041 which covers data encryption for exfiltration, emphasizing that insecure network communications can lead to complete data compromise.