CVE-2017-12816 in Internet Security
Summary
by MITRE
In Kaspersky Internet Security for Android 11.12.4.1622, some of application exports activities have weak permissions, which might be used by a malware application to get unauthorized access to the product functionality by using Android IPC.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/10/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-12816 affects Kaspersky Internet Security for Android version 11.12.4.1622 and represents a significant security flaw related to improper permission handling within the application's exported activities. This issue stems from the application's failure to properly secure its inter-process communication components, creating potential attack vectors for malicious actors seeking unauthorized access to the security product's functionality.
The technical flaw manifests through the weak permissions assigned to certain exported activities within the Kaspersky application. In Android's security model, exported activities are those that can be launched by other applications, and they must be properly secured with appropriate permission checks to prevent unauthorized access. When these permissions are insufficient or improperly configured, malicious applications can exploit this weakness to invoke the exported activities directly, effectively bypassing the intended security controls that should protect the application's core functionality.
This vulnerability operates at the system level within Android's inter-process communication framework, specifically targeting the Android IPC mechanism that allows different applications to communicate and share data. The flaw enables a malicious application to gain unauthorized access to the Kaspersky security product's functionality through direct invocation of exported activities, potentially allowing the attacker to manipulate security settings, access sensitive data, or even disable protective features. This represents a critical compromise of the application's security model, as it allows an attacker to essentially hijack the security product's operational capabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, as it undermines the fundamental purpose of the security application. When a malicious actor can access exported activities with weak permissions, they can potentially perform actions such as disabling security scans, modifying protection settings, accessing user data that should remain protected, or even using the security application as a vector for further attacks. The vulnerability essentially transforms a protective security tool into a potential attack platform, creating a dangerous situation where the security product itself becomes compromised.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in software systems, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege. The issue also relates to ATT&CK technique T1197, which involves the exploitation of application vulnerabilities to gain access to system resources. The vulnerability demonstrates how security products themselves can become attack vectors when proper security controls are not implemented, highlighting the critical importance of secure coding practices and thorough security testing in security applications.
The mitigation strategy for this vulnerability requires immediate action from Kaspersky to properly secure all exported activities by implementing appropriate permission checks and ensuring that only authorized applications can access these components. Users should update to the latest version of the security application where this vulnerability has been patched, as the fix typically involves strengthening the permission requirements for exported components. Additionally, system administrators and security professionals should monitor for potential exploitation attempts and consider implementing additional security controls to detect unauthorized access patterns to security application components. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper security architecture in security products and the necessity of treating security applications as potential attack surfaces that require robust protection mechanisms.