CVE-2015-6630 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
SystemUI in Android 5.x before 5.1.1 LMY48Z and 6.0 before 2015-12-01 allows attackers to read screenshots and consequently gain privileges via a crafted application, aka internal bug 19121797.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-6630 affects the SystemUI component within Android operating systems version 5.x prior to 5.1.1 LMY48Z and Android 6.0 before the 2015-12-01 security patch. This issue represents a critical privilege escalation vulnerability that stems from improper access controls within the screenshot functionality of the Android system user interface. The flaw allows malicious applications to bypass normal security boundaries and access screenshot data that should be restricted to system-level operations. The vulnerability operates through a crafted application that exploits the underlying SystemUI service to capture and subsequently access screenshot content, potentially enabling attackers to gather sensitive information and elevate their privileges within the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the SystemUI component's handling of screenshot requests and access permissions. When an application requests a screenshot, the system should enforce strict access controls to prevent unauthorized access to the captured image data. However, the flaw in the Android 5.x and 6.0 versions allows a malicious application to intercept or manipulate the screenshot capture process, thereby gaining access to screenshot content that contains potentially sensitive information. This vulnerability falls under the category of improper access control as defined by CWE-284, where insufficient privileges are enforced for access to system resources. The issue also demonstrates characteristics of privilege escalation through system service manipulation, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers privilege escalation via system services.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-6630 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with a pathway to escalate their privileges within the Android environment. Once a malicious application gains access to screenshot data, it can potentially extract sensitive information such as passwords, personal data, or other confidential content visible on the screen. This capability enables attackers to perform more sophisticated attacks including credential harvesting, data exfiltration, and further system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the system user interface level, where applications typically have limited access to screen content, making the unauthorized access to screenshot data a significant breach of the Android security model.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate application of the security patches released by Google as part of the 2015-12-01 security update cycle. Organizations should ensure all Android devices running affected versions are updated to the latest patched versions of Android 5.1.1 or Android 6.0 with the corresponding security fixes. Additionally, mobile device management solutions should implement strict application vetting processes to prevent installation of potentially malicious applications that could exploit this vulnerability. Network monitoring should include detection of suspicious screenshot access patterns and unauthorized application behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing application sandboxing and privilege restriction policies to minimize the potential impact if a device becomes compromised. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current security patches and demonstrates how seemingly benign functionality like screenshot capture can become a vector for privilege escalation attacks when proper access controls are not properly enforced.