CVE-2018-15000 in Vivo
Summary
by MITRE
The Vivo V7 Android device with a build fingerprint of vivo/1718/1718:7.1.2/N2G47H/compil11021857:user/release-keys contains a platform app with a package name of com.vivo.smartshot (versionCode=1, versionName=3.0.0). This app contains an exported service named com.vivo.smartshot.ui.service.ScreenRecordService that will record the screen for 60 minutes and write the mp4 file to a location of the user's choosing. Normally, a recording notification will be visible to the user, but we discovered an approach to make it mostly transparent to the user by quickly removing a notification and floating icon. The user can see a floating icon and notification appear and disappear quickly due to quickly stopping and restarting the service with different parameters that do not interfere with the ongoing screen recording. The screen recording lasts for 60 minutes and can be written directly to the attacking app's private directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/07/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-15000 represents a critical security flaw in the Vivo V7 Android device's smart shot application, specifically within the com.vivo.smartshot.ui.service.ScreenRecordService component. This exported service exposes a significant privilege escalation vector through improper access controls and lack of proper user consent mechanisms. The vulnerability stems from the application's design where the screen recording service can be invoked by any malicious application without proper authorization, creating an attack surface that allows unauthorized screen capture operations. The service operates with elevated privileges and can record screen content for extended periods, making it particularly dangerous for privacy and data protection. This flaw directly violates the principle of least privilege and demonstrates poor implementation of Android security model components.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the exported nature of the ScreenRecordService component, which should have been restricted to internal application usage only. The service accepts user-defined parameters for output file locations, allowing attackers to write recorded content directly to the malicious application's private storage directory. This design flaw enables persistent surveillance capabilities where the recording process can operate for 60 minutes without user awareness, effectively bypassing normal Android notification systems. The attacker can manipulate the service lifecycle by rapidly stopping and restarting the service with different parameters, causing the notification and floating icon to appear and disappear quickly, thus maintaining operational stealth. The vulnerability specifically targets the Android permission model and service exposure mechanisms, creating an avenue for covert surveillance operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privacy violations to encompass potential corporate espionage, personal data theft, and unauthorized access to sensitive information. The 60-minute recording capability provides substantial data collection opportunities, while the ability to write files to arbitrary locations within the malicious application's private directory enables long-term data retention and exfiltration. The transparent nature of the attack, achieved through rapid service manipulation, makes detection extremely difficult for end users and security monitoring systems. This vulnerability can be exploited by malware to capture sensitive information such as passwords, banking details, personal communications, and confidential business data. The attack vector demonstrates how improper service exposure can lead to persistent surveillance capabilities that bypass standard Android security controls.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper access controls and service exposure restrictions within the Android application framework. The exported service should be secured through proper Android permission declarations and component intent filtering to prevent unauthorized access. The system should enforce user consent mechanisms for screen recording operations and implement proper notification management to prevent stealthy operations. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security reviews of all exported components and ensure proper implementation of Android security model principles. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-732: Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource and follows ATT&CK technique T1113: Screen Capture, demonstrating how improper application design can enable persistent surveillance capabilities. Device manufacturers should implement robust security testing procedures and proper component access control mechanisms to prevent similar vulnerabilities in future releases.