CVE-2018-14993 in Zenfone V Live
Summary
by MITRE
The ASUS Zenfone V Live Android device with a build fingerprint of asus/VZW_ASUS_A009/ASUS_A009:7.1.1/NMF26F/14.0610.1802.78-20180313:user/release-keys and the Asus ZenFone 3 Max Android device with a build fingerprint of asus/US_Phone/ASUS_X008_1:7.0/NRD90M/US_Phone-14.14.1711.92-20171208:user/release-keys both contain a pre-installed platform app with a package name of com.asus.splendidcommandagent (versionCode=1510200090, versionName=1.2.0.18_160928) that contains an exported service named com.asus.splendidcommandagent.SplendidCommandAgentService that allows any app co-located on the device to supply arbitrary commands to be executed as the system user. This app cannot be disabled by the user and the attack can be performed by a zero-permission app. Executing commands as system user can allow a third-party app to video record the user's screen, factory reset the device, obtain the user's notifications, read the logcat logs, inject events in the Graphical User Interface (GUI), change the default Input Method Editor (IME) (e.g., keyboard) with one contained within the attacking app that contains keylogging functionality, obtain the user's text messages, and more.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/07/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-14993 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw affecting specific ASUS Zenfone devices running Android 7.1.1 and 7.0 respectively. This vulnerability stems from a pre-installed platform application named com.asus.splendidcommandagent which contains an exported service interface that exposes system-level functionality to any application present on the device. The service com.asus.splendidcommandagent.SplendidCommandAgentService operates without proper access controls, allowing unauthorized applications to execute arbitrary commands with system-level privileges. This represents a fundamental breakdown in Android's security model where applications should not be able to escalate their privileges without proper authorization mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the exported service interface which acts as a command execution gateway without any authentication or authorization checks. According to CWE-269, this constitutes a privilege escalation vulnerability where the service allows unauthorized access to system-level operations. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires no special permissions from the user, meaning any application installed on the device can exploit this flaw. The service operates with system user privileges, which grants access to sensitive device functionality that would normally be restricted to system-level processes only. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which describes the exploitation of legitimate credentials and privileges to gain system-level access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and encompasses a wide range of malicious activities that can be performed by an attacker. The ability to execute commands as system user enables unauthorized applications to perform screen recording, which violates user privacy and can capture sensitive information. Device factory resets can be executed without user consent, potentially causing data loss and service disruption. Access to user notifications provides insight into personal communications and system activities, while logcat log access allows attackers to gather system information for further exploitation. GUI injection capabilities enable manipulation of user interface elements, potentially leading to phishing attacks or deceptive user interactions. The vulnerability also permits changes to the default Input Method Editor, which can be exploited to install keylogging functionality within the attacking application, creating a persistent surveillance mechanism.
The persistence and difficulty of mitigation for this vulnerability stems from the fact that the malicious service is part of a pre-installed platform application that cannot be disabled by users. This characteristic makes it particularly challenging to address since users have no control over the application's functionality or removal. The vulnerability affects specific device models and build fingerprints, indicating it was likely introduced during the manufacturing process rather than being a runtime issue. Organizations and users should consider this vulnerability as a persistent threat that requires either firmware updates from ASUS or complete device replacement. The lack of user control over the application's behavior also means that traditional application permission models fail to prevent exploitation, making this a particularly concerning security flaw in the mobile ecosystem. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper security testing during the device development lifecycle and highlights the risks associated with pre-installed applications that contain overly permissive service interfaces.