CVE-2018-14989 in Compass
Summary
by MITRE
The Plum Compass Android device with a build fingerprint of PLUM/c179_hwf_221/c179_hwf_221:6.0/MRA58K/W16.51.5-22:user/release-keys contains a pre-installed platform app with a package name of com.android.settings (versionCode=23, versionName=6.0-eng.root.20161223.224055) that contains an exported broadcast receiver app component which allows any app co-located on the device to programmatically perform a factory reset. In addition, the app initiating the factory reset does not require any permissions. A factory reset will remove all user data and apps from the device. This will result in the loss of any data that have not been backed up or synced externally. The capability to perform a factory reset is not directly available to third-party apps (those that the user installs themselves with the exception of enabled Mobile Device Management (MDM) apps), although this capability can be obtained by leveraging an unprotected app component of a pre-installed platform app.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/07/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-14989 represents a critical security flaw in the Plum Compass Android device that exposes a fundamental system function through an improperly configured pre-installed application. This vulnerability specifically targets the Android operating system's platform-level components where the built-in settings application contains an exported broadcast receiver that can be invoked by any application present on the device. The affected application package com.android.settings operates with version code 23 and version name 6.0-eng.root.20161223.224055, indicating it's a system-level component that should be protected from unauthorized access. The device's build fingerprint PLUM/c179_hwf_221/c179_hwf_221:6.0/MRA58K/W16.51.5-22:user/release-keys confirms this is a specific hardware platform with potentially widespread implications across similar devices.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the improper configuration of Android's component security model where the broadcast receiver within the platform settings application lacks proper access controls and permission requirements. This flaw allows any application co-located on the device to programmatically trigger a factory reset operation without requiring any special permissions, which violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and component isolation. The exported broadcast receiver essentially creates an attack surface that bypasses Android's normal permission system, enabling malicious applications to perform destructive operations that should be restricted to system-level processes or explicitly authorized administrators. This misconfiguration aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and demonstrates a failure in the principle of least privilege implementation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data loss to encompass complete system compromise and potential privacy violations. When any application can trigger a factory reset without user consent or authorization, it creates a scenario where malicious software can silently erase all user data, installed applications, and personal configurations. This capability allows for the execution of destructive attacks that can be particularly devastating in enterprise or personal environments where users may not have regular backups or external synchronization mechanisms. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the system level and can be exploited by any application present on the device, including potentially malicious third-party applications or applications that have been compromised through other attack vectors. The implications of this vulnerability extend to the broader Android security model and demonstrate how improperly configured system components can undermine the entire platform's security architecture.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-14989 should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring. Device manufacturers must ensure that all exported components within platform applications undergo rigorous security reviews and proper access control implementations that prevent unauthorized execution of critical system functions. The recommended approach includes disabling or properly securing broadcast receivers within system applications that should not be accessible to third-party applications, implementing proper permission checks before allowing factory reset operations, and ensuring that only authorized system processes or MDM solutions can trigger such operations. Security frameworks should be implemented to enforce the principle of least privilege and prevent applications from accessing system-level functions without explicit authorization. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of Android security model adherence and the necessity of comprehensive security testing for pre-installed platform components, particularly those that handle sensitive operations like device reset and data erasure functions. Organizations should also implement monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized factory reset attempts and ensure that all system applications are regularly audited for similar security misconfigurations.