CVE-2016-4782 in SHAREit
Summary
by MITRE
Lenovo SHAREit before 3.5.98_ww on Android before 4.2 allows remote attackers to have unspecified impact via a crafted intent: URL, aka an "intent scheme URL attack."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/12/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-4782 affects Lenovo SHAREit versions prior to 3.5.98_ww on Android systems before version 4.2. This represents a critical security flaw in the intent scheme handling mechanism of the application, which operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework as a weakness related to improper handling of intent schemes. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate and sanitize intent URLs that are received through various communication channels, creating a potential attack vector for remote adversaries.
The technical flaw manifests through the application's insecure processing of crafted intent URLs that can be delivered through various means including SMS messages, email attachments, or malicious websites. When a user clicks on such a malicious intent URL, the SHAREit application executes the embedded intent without proper validation, potentially allowing attackers to launch arbitrary applications or perform unauthorized actions on the victim's device. This vulnerability operates at the application level and leverages Android's intent system, which is designed to enable communication between different applications but becomes dangerous when not properly secured against malicious input.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or unauthorized access, as it can enable attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected devices or manipulate application behavior in ways that compromise user privacy and system integrity. The unspecified impact mentioned in the CVE description suggests that the vulnerability could potentially lead to various security consequences including but not limited to privilege escalation, data exfiltration, or the installation of additional malicious software. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to user data, manipulate application functionality, or potentially establish persistent access to the compromised device through the execution of malicious intents.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of the SHAREit application to version 3.5.98_ww or later, which contains the necessary security fixes to properly validate intent URLs. System administrators and users should also implement additional security measures such as enabling application permission controls, reviewing and restricting application access to sensitive system functions, and maintaining awareness of potential phishing attempts that may deliver malicious intent URLs. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for the use of application execution through intent schemes and represents a classic example of insufficient input validation that can lead to remote code execution. Organizations should also consider implementing network-level controls to block suspicious intent URL patterns and conduct regular security assessments to identify potential exposure to similar vulnerabilities in other applications.