CVE-2018-9382 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 01/18/2025
In multiple functions of WifiServiceImpl.java, there is a possible way to activate Wi-Fi hotspot from a non-owner profile due to a missing permission check. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/19/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2018-9382 represents a critical security flaw within the Android Wi-Fi service implementation that allows unauthorized users to activate wireless hotspot functionality from non-owner profiles. This issue resides in the WifiServiceImpl.java file where multiple functions lack proper permission validation mechanisms, creating an exploitable path for privilege escalation. The flaw specifically affects Android versions prior to 2018 and demonstrates a fundamental breakdown in access control enforcement within the operating system's network management subsystem.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from insufficient permission verification within the Wi-Fi hotspot activation functions. When users attempt to enable Wi-Fi hotspot functionality, the system should validate whether the requesting user profile has appropriate administrative privileges. However, the missing permission checks allow any user profile to trigger hotspot activation regardless of their ownership status or administrative rights. This represents a classic violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates poor input validation in the Android framework's security model. The vulnerability operates at the system level where the Wi-Fi service components fail to properly enforce user context boundaries, creating a pathway for unauthorized access to privileged network functions.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables local privilege escalation without requiring any additional execution privileges or user interaction, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments. An attacker with access to a non-owner profile can exploit this flaw to activate Wi-Fi hotspot functionality, potentially allowing them to intercept network traffic, create unauthorized network connections, or establish malicious network access points. The implications extend beyond simple hotspot activation as this capability could be leveraged to bypass network security controls, perform man-in-the-middle attacks, or create persistent access points that could be used for further exploitation. The lack of user interaction requirement means the vulnerability can be exploited automatically, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where multiple users may have access to devices.
The security impact of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues in software systems. This classification specifically addresses the problem of insufficient permission checks and inadequate access control enforcement, which directly correlates with the missing permission validation in the Wi-Fi service implementation. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Local Privilege Escalation' and represents how an attacker can leverage system weaknesses to gain elevated privileges. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant Android security patches, restricting user profile permissions, and monitoring for unauthorized hotspot activation events. System administrators should also consider implementing additional network monitoring controls to detect suspicious hotspot activity and establish proper user access controls to prevent unauthorized profile usage. The vulnerability highlights the importance of comprehensive permission validation across all system components and demonstrates the critical need for robust access control mechanisms in mobile operating systems.