CVE-2018-14066 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
The content://wappush content provider in com.android.provider.telephony, as found in some custom ROMs for Android phones, allows SQL injection. One consequence is that an application without the READ_SMS permission can read SMS messages. This affects Infinix X571 phones, as well as various Lenovo phones (such as the A7020) that have since been fixed by Lenovo.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/05/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-14066 represents a critical security flaw within the Android telephony content provider system that exposes sensitive messaging data through improper input validation mechanisms. This issue specifically targets the content://wappush content provider component located in the com.android.provider.telephony package, which is commonly implemented in custom ROMs for various Android devices. The vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of user inputs when processing SQL queries, creating an environment where malicious applications can exploit the system to execute unauthorized database operations. The flaw affects a range of mobile devices including the Infinix X571 and multiple Lenovo models such as the A7020, demonstrating the widespread nature of this particular security weakness across different manufacturers' implementations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through SQL injection attacks that leverage the poorly validated input parameters within the telephony content provider. When applications interact with the wappush content provider, the system fails to properly escape or validate user-supplied data before incorporating it into SQL query constructions. This allows attackers to inject malicious SQL commands that bypass normal access controls and authentication mechanisms. The injection occurs at the database layer where the content provider processes requests, enabling unauthorized access to SMS message data without requiring proper permissions. The vulnerability specifically enables applications lacking READ_SMS permission to circumvent the standard security boundaries that should prevent such unauthorized data access, fundamentally undermining the Android permission model.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it represents a complete breakdown in the security architecture designed to protect sensitive communications. An attacker with malicious applications installed on affected devices can extract SMS messages, potentially including personal information, financial data, or other sensitive communications that should remain protected. The consequences include unauthorized surveillance capabilities, potential identity theft, and exposure of private communications that users reasonably expect to be secure. This vulnerability particularly affects mobile devices where users may not be aware of the underlying security mechanisms or where custom ROMs may not receive timely security updates, creating extended periods of exposure for affected users.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention from both device manufacturers and end users. Device manufacturers should implement proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks, while also ensuring that all content providers properly validate and sanitize input data before database operations. The implementation of proper access controls and permission checks should be enforced at the content provider level to prevent unauthorized data access regardless of application permissions. Users should avoid installing untrusted applications and ensure their devices receive timely security updates, particularly for custom ROM implementations where patching may be delayed or incomplete. Additionally, security monitoring should be implemented to detect anomalous database access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and represents a significant concern under ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploitation of legitimate credentials and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage. Organizations should also consider implementing network-level monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures to address potential data breaches resulting from such vulnerabilities.