CVE-2018-9489 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
When wifi is switched, function sendNetworkStateChangeBroadcast of WifiStateMachine.java broadcasts an intent including detailed wifi network information. This could lead to information disclosure with no execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. Product: Android Versions: Android-7.0 Android-7.1.1 Android-7.1.2 Android-8.0 Android-8.1 Android-9.0 Android ID: A-77286245.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/05/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-9489 represents a significant information disclosure flaw within the Android operating system's wireless networking subsystem. This weakness exists in the WifiStateMachine.java component where the sendNetworkStateChangeBroadcast function inadvertently exposes sensitive network details through broadcast intents. The vulnerability affects multiple Android versions including 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, 8.0, 8.1, and 9.0, indicating a widespread impact across the Android ecosystem. The flaw operates without requiring any special privileges or user interaction, making it particularly concerning from a security perspective as it can be exploited automatically by malicious actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the improper handling of network state change notifications within the wifi subsystem. When wifi connectivity status changes occur, the system broadcasts an intent that contains detailed information about the current network configuration including ssid, bssid, rssi values, and other network parameters. This information disclosure occurs through the standard android intent mechanism without adequate sanitization or access control measures. The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-200 (Information Exposure) and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1046 (Network Service Scanning) as it provides adversaries with valuable network intelligence. The broadcast mechanism in question lacks proper authorization checks, allowing any application with appropriate manifest permissions to receive these sensitive network state updates.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-9489 extends beyond simple information disclosure as it provides attackers with comprehensive details about wireless network environments. An attacker could leverage this information to identify target networks, understand network topology, and potentially perform targeted attacks against specific wifi networks. The vulnerability's automatic exploitation capability means that malicious applications could continuously monitor and collect network information without user awareness. This poses significant risks for enterprise environments where wifi network configurations may contain sensitive information about organizational infrastructure. The lack of user interaction requirement makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited silently in the background, potentially leading to advanced persistent threats or network reconnaissance activities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-9489 should focus on both immediate patching and defensive measures. Organizations should prioritize applying the relevant android security patches released by google to address this vulnerability in affected versions. System administrators should implement network monitoring to detect unusual broadcast activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Application developers should review their app permissions and avoid requesting unnecessary network state access. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper information flow control and privilege separation within system components. Security teams should consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of information disclosure. Additionally, regular security assessments of mobile device management policies should be conducted to ensure proper control over wifi network access and information sharing within enterprise environments.