CVE-2018-16262 in Tizen
Summary
by MITRE
The pkgmgr system service in Tizen allows an unprivileged process to perform package management actions, due to improper D-Bus security policy configurations. Such actions include installing, decrypting, and killing other packages. This affects Tizen before 5.0 M1, and Tizen-based firmwares including Samsung Galaxy Gear series before build RE2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/25/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2018-16262 represents a critical security flaw in the Tizen operating system's package management infrastructure that stems from inadequate D-Bus security policy implementations. This issue specifically targets the pkgmgr system service which serves as the central package management component within Tizen environments. The flaw enables unprivileged processes to execute privileged package management operations through improper access control configurations, creating a significant escalation of privileges vulnerability that undermines the fundamental security model of the operating system.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the misconfiguration of D-Bus security policies that govern how the pkgmgr service interacts with other system components and user processes. D-Bus is a message bus system that facilitates communication between different software components in Tizen, and when security policies are improperly defined, it allows unauthorized processes to invoke privileged methods through the D-Bus interface. This misconfiguration creates a pathway for malicious or compromised applications to perform actions such as installing new packages, decrypting existing packages, and even killing other running packages without proper authentication or authorization. The vulnerability specifically affects Tizen versions prior to 5.0 M1 and impacts Samsung Galaxy Gear series devices before build RE2, indicating a widespread issue across multiple device types within the Tizen ecosystem.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it allows attackers to gain unauthorized control over package management functions that are typically restricted to privileged system processes. An attacker could leverage this flaw to install malicious packages, decrypt and modify existing applications, or terminate legitimate processes, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and undermines the security boundaries that separate user applications from system-critical services. The ability to kill other packages creates additional risks for system stability and security, as it could be used to disable security monitoring tools or other protective mechanisms. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which involves exploiting legitimate credentials and privileges to gain system access.
The implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass broader system integrity threats. The ability to install packages without proper authorization means that malicious actors could introduce backdoors, rootkits, or other persistent threats into the system. The decryption capability poses additional risks as it could allow attackers to access protected application data or reverse engineer proprietary software components. This vulnerability also creates opportunities for denial of service attacks where legitimate packages are terminated, and for privilege escalation attacks where attackers can manipulate the package management system to gain deeper system access. Organizations deploying Tizen-based systems should consider this vulnerability as a critical security concern that requires immediate attention and remediation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper D-Bus security policies that restrict access to the pkgmgr service based on proper authentication and authorization mechanisms. System administrators should ensure that all Tizen devices are updated to version 5.0 M1 or later where this vulnerability has been addressed. The implementation of D-Bus access control lists and proper service permissions should be reviewed and strengthened to prevent unauthorized access to privileged package management functions. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious package management activities that could indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of a successful exploitation attempt, and regular security audits should be conducted to verify that D-Bus configurations remain secure and properly enforced. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper service isolation and access control in embedded operating systems where the attack surface is limited but the potential impact of security flaws is significant.