CVE-2024-27440 in App
Summary
by MITRE • 03/13/2024
The Toyoko Inn official App for iOS versions prior to 1.13.0 and Toyoko Inn official App for Android versions prior 1.3.14 don't properly verify server certificates, which allows a man-in-the-middle attacker to spoof servers and obtain sensitive information via a crafted certificate.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/06/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-27440 represents a critical weakness in the security architecture of the Toyoko Inn mobile applications for both iOS and Android platforms. This flaw resides in the certificate verification process that occurs during secure communications between the mobile client and the application servers. The issue affects iOS versions prior to 1.13.0 and Android versions prior to 1.3.14, indicating that a significant portion of the user base would have been exposed to this risk. The vulnerability stems from improper implementation of SSL/TLS certificate validation mechanisms, which are fundamental components of secure communication protocols. When certificate verification is insufficient or bypassed, the application fails to establish the cryptographic trust relationship that protects against malicious actors attempting to intercept or manipulate communications.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-295, which specifically addresses "Improper Certificate Validation" in security protocols. This weakness creates a pathway for man-in-the-middle attacks where adversaries can present fraudulent certificates to trick the mobile application into establishing connections with malicious servers. The flaw essentially undermines the core security principle of certificate pinning or proper certificate chain validation, allowing attackers to impersonate legitimate Toyoko Inn servers. The impact extends beyond simple data interception to potentially include complete session hijacking, credential theft, and access to sensitive user information including personal details, booking information, and payment data. This vulnerability demonstrates a failure in the application's secure communication implementation that directly violates industry security standards and best practices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial for both the organization and its users. Mobile applications that fail to properly validate server certificates create an environment where attackers can seamlessly impersonate the legitimate service, potentially leading to widespread data breaches and loss of user trust. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires minimal technical expertise to exploit, making it attractive to threat actors. Users who have not updated to the patched versions remain vulnerable to attacks that could result in financial loss, identity theft, and privacy violations. The vulnerability also represents a failure in the application security lifecycle, suggesting that proper security testing and code review processes may have been inadequate during development. Organizations utilizing mobile applications must understand that certificate validation failures can have cascading effects on overall security posture and user data protection.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate deployment of updated application versions that implement proper certificate verification mechanisms. Organizations should also implement certificate pinning techniques to strengthen the security of their mobile applications and reduce the attack surface. The fix should incorporate robust certificate validation that checks certificate chains, expiration dates, and proper signatures against trusted certificate authorities. Additionally, security teams should conduct comprehensive penetration testing and code reviews to identify similar issues in other mobile applications. The remediation process should follow established security frameworks such as those outlined in the OWASP Mobile Security Project, which emphasizes proper implementation of secure communication protocols. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions to detect potential certificate-based attacks and establish incident response procedures to address potential exploitation of this vulnerability.