CVE-2018-9457 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In onCheckedChanged of BluetoothPairingController.java, there is a possible way to retrieve contact information due to a permissions bypass. This could lead to local information disclosure with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. Product: Android. Versions: Android-8.0 Android-8.1 Android-9. Android ID: A-72872376
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/13/2020
The vulnerability described in CVE-2018-9457 represents a critical permissions bypass flaw within the Android Bluetooth pairing mechanism that exposes sensitive contact information to unauthorized access. This issue resides in the BluetoothPairingController.java component where the onCheckedChanged method fails to properly validate permissions, creating an avenue for information disclosure that does not require any additional privileges or user interaction to exploit. The flaw specifically affects Android versions 8.0 through 9.0, encompassing a significant portion of the Android ecosystem during the period when these versions were widely deployed. The vulnerability stems from inadequate access control mechanisms within the Bluetooth pairing workflow, where the system does not properly enforce permission boundaries when handling pairing requests and associated data retrieval operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a clear violation of the principle of least privilege and proper access control as defined by CWE-284, which addresses improper access control vulnerabilities. When a Bluetooth pairing request is processed through the onCheckedChanged method, the system fails to verify whether the requesting component has appropriate permissions to access contact information, allowing malicious applications or processes to potentially extract sensitive data from the device. This represents a fundamental breakdown in Android's security model where the Bluetooth subsystem does not properly isolate access to personal information. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates entirely within the system's normal Bluetooth pairing workflow without requiring any special privileges beyond what is typically available to standard applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates potential pathways for attackers to gather personal contact data that could be used for social engineering attacks, identity theft, or other malicious activities. Since no user interaction is required for exploitation, this vulnerability can be leveraged automatically by malicious applications already present on the device or through other attack vectors that might grant the attacker sufficient privileges to trigger the Bluetooth pairing sequence. The exposure of contact information through this bypass mechanism represents a significant privacy risk that could affect millions of Android users, particularly those who rely on Bluetooth connectivity for various device interactions. This vulnerability directly impacts the Android platform's ability to maintain proper data isolation between different system components and applications, undermining the security boundaries that protect user privacy.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-9457 should focus on implementing proper access control checks within the Bluetooth pairing subsystem, ensuring that all data access operations properly validate permissions before allowing information retrieval. Android security patches addressing this vulnerability would need to enforce stricter permission validation in the BluetoothPairingController.java component, particularly around the onCheckedChanged method where the flaw occurs. Organizations should ensure their Android devices are updated to versions that include the appropriate security fixes, as this vulnerability represents a clear violation of Android's security architecture principles. The fix should align with ATT&CK technique T1068 which addresses local privilege escalation and unauthorized access to system resources. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing mobile device management policies that enforce security updates and monitor for potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability. The remediation process should also include reviewing and strengthening the overall Bluetooth security configuration to prevent similar permission bypass scenarios in other system components.