CVE-2018-15001 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.bsptest (versionCode=1, versionName=1.0) containing an exported activity app component named com.vivo.bsptest.BSPTestActivity that allows any app co-located on the device to initiate the writing of the logcat log, bluetooth log, and kernel log to external storage. When logging is enabled, there is a notification in the status bar, so it is not completely transparent to the user. The user can cancel the logging, but it can be re-enabled since the app with a package name of com.vivo.bsptest cannot be disabled. The writing of these logs can be initiated by an app co-located on the device, although the READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission is necessary to for an app to access the log files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/24/2020
This vulnerability exists within the Vivo V7 Android device firmware where the platform application com.vivo.bsptest contains an exported activity component that permits arbitrary local applications to initiate logging operations. The affected component com.vivo.bsptest.BSPTestActivity enables the capture and storage of sensitive system logs including logcat output, bluetooth logs, and kernel logs to external storage. This represents a significant security flaw as it creates an attack surface that allows malicious applications co-located on the same device to access potentially sensitive system information. The vulnerability is classified as a privilege escalation issue under CWE-269 and falls under the ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the improper exposure of system logging functionality through an exported Android activity component. The exported nature of BSPTestActivity allows any application installed on the device to invoke the logging capabilities without proper authorization checks. While the system does provide user notification through status bar alerts, this transparency is insufficient as users can be easily misled or may not recognize the significance of the logging activity. The ability to re-enable logging automatically after user cancellation further compounds the issue, as it creates a persistent vulnerability that cannot be permanently disabled by end users. This persistent exposure aligns with ATT&CK technique T1107 for file system permissions modification.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it provides adversaries with access to comprehensive system diagnostic information that could reveal system configurations, application behavior, and potential security weaknesses. The log files may contain sensitive data such as system call traces, network communication details, and potentially confidential application information that could be leveraged in subsequent attacks. The fact that these logs can be written to external storage creates additional risks for data exfiltration and persistence mechanisms. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the device's security posture, as it allows for covert monitoring of system activities. Furthermore, the inability to disable the vulnerable application component means that users have no control over this security exposure, making it a persistent threat vector.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate remediation through firmware updates from Vivo that properly restrict access to the logging functionality. The exported activity component should be modified to require explicit user consent or additional permission checks before allowing log collection operations. Network administrators and security teams should monitor for applications that attempt to access the vulnerable component and implement application control policies to prevent unauthorized access. The use of mobile device management solutions can help enforce restrictions on logging capabilities and prevent malicious applications from leveraging this vulnerability. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks associated with installing untrusted applications on their devices, as the vulnerability requires only local application installation to be exploited. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper Android component exposure controls and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of platform applications.