CVE-2012-2217 in Hero Software
Summary
by MITRE
The HTC IQRD service for Android on the HTC EVO 4G before 4.67.651.3, EVO Design 4G before 2.12.651.5, Shift 4G before 2.77.651.3, EVO 3D before 2.17.651.5, EVO View 4G before 2.23.651.1, Vivid before 3.26.502.56, and Hero does not restrict localhost access to TCP port 2479, which allows remote attackers to (1) send SMS messages, (2) obtain the Network Access Identifier (NAI) and its password, or trigger (3) popup messages or (4) tones via a crafted application that leverages the android.permission.INTERNET permission.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/01/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2012-2217 represents a critical security flaw in the HTC IQRD service implementation across multiple HTC Android devices including the EVO 4G, EVO Design 4G, Shift 4G, EVO 3D, EVO View 4G, Vivid, and Hero models. This vulnerability stems from improper network access controls that allow unauthorized remote exploitation through the localhost TCP port 2479, which serves as a communication interface for the IQRD service. The affected software versions indicate this was a widespread issue affecting various HTC smartphone models released during the early 2010s period when Android mobile security was still maturing.
The technical flaw manifests as a lack of proper access restriction mechanisms for the TCP port 2479, which is typically intended to operate only within the local device environment. This misconfiguration creates an attack surface that allows remote adversaries to establish connections to the service without proper authentication or authorization. The vulnerability specifically leverages the android.permission.INTERNET permission that is commonly granted to applications, enabling malicious actors to craft applications that can exploit this exposed service interface. This represents a classic example of insecure network configuration where a service designed for local-only operation becomes accessible from remote networks without appropriate security controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with multiple attack vectors for malicious activities. Remote threat actors can utilize this vulnerability to send SMS messages without user consent, which constitutes a serious privacy and security concern given the potential for spamming, fraud, or social engineering attacks. The ability to obtain Network Access Identifier credentials and their associated passwords creates additional risks for network security, as these credentials could be used for further network penetration or to access other systems that rely on similar authentication mechanisms. The capability to trigger popup messages and tones represents a form of denial-of-service or user harassment attack that can disrupt device functionality and user experience.
The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting local system permissions. This weakness creates a pathway for privilege escalation and lateral movement within mobile environments, as the IQRD service appears to operate with elevated privileges that allow it to perform sensitive operations. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it requires only basic internet connectivity and the standard android.permission.INTERNET permission that most applications possess, making exploitation relatively straightforward for adversaries with basic mobile application development knowledge.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper network access controls and restricting localhost services to only local network access. Device manufacturers should ensure that services operating on localhost interfaces are properly configured with appropriate access controls that prevent remote connections. Users should be advised to update their devices to patched versions where available, as HTC released firmware updates addressing this specific vulnerability. Network administrators should consider implementing firewall rules that block access to TCP port 2479 from external networks and monitor for unusual patterns of network traffic that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of proper service configuration and access control implementation in mobile device security architectures, particularly for services that handle sensitive operations such as SMS messaging and network authentication credential management.