CVE-2017-4895 in AirWatch Agent
Summary
by MITRE
Airwatch Agent for Android contains a vulnerability that may allow a device to bypass root detection. Successful exploitation of this issue may result in an enrolled device having unrestricted access over local Airwatch security controls and data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/07/2020
The Airwatch Agent for Android vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-4895 represents a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of mobile device management systems. This vulnerability specifically targets the root detection mechanisms implemented within the Airwatch agent software, which is designed to ensure that corporate devices maintain proper security posture and prevent unauthorized access to sensitive enterprise data. The flaw allows malicious actors to circumvent the device's root detection capabilities, effectively disabling the security controls that are essential for maintaining compliance with enterprise security policies.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation mechanisms within the Airwatch agent's root detection algorithm. When a device is enrolled in an Airwatch management system, the agent performs routine checks to determine if the device has been rooted or compromised. The vulnerability exists in how the agent processes and validates these checks, creating a pathway for attackers to manipulate or bypass the detection process entirely. This weakness aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control mechanisms, and specifically relates to inadequate privilege management within mobile security applications. The flaw demonstrates a failure in the principle of least privilege, where the agent should maintain strict control over device access but instead allows unauthorized bypass of security controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple bypass of root detection, as it fundamentally compromises the security architecture of enterprise mobile device management systems. Once successfully exploited, an attacker gains unrestricted access to local Airwatch security controls and enterprise data stored on the device, potentially leading to data breaches, unauthorized access to corporate networks, and complete compromise of the managed device. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely heavily on mobile device management solutions for protecting sensitive information, as it essentially nullifies the security measures that the Airwatch platform was designed to enforce. The implications are severe for industries such as finance, healthcare, and government sectors where mobile device security is paramount for compliance with regulations like HIPAA, SOX, and various cybersecurity frameworks.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of the Airwatch Agent, implementing additional monitoring for unauthorized device modifications, and establishing enhanced security policies for mobile device management. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation and access control implementation as outlined in the OWASP Mobile Top 10 and NIST Mobile Security Guidelines. Security teams should conduct comprehensive assessments of their mobile device management infrastructure, review existing root detection mechanisms, and implement layered security approaches that do not rely solely on a single detection method. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing device integrity monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous behavior patterns indicative of exploitation attempts, as this vulnerability represents a classic example of how a single flaw in mobile security architecture can compromise entire enterprise security postures. The incident underscores the critical need for regular security assessments and vulnerability management programs specifically tailored for mobile environments, as outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework for mobile threats.