CVE-2018-9493 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In the content provider of the download manager, there is a possible SQL injection due to improper input validation. This could lead to local information disclosure with no additional 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-111085900
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/29/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-9493 resides within the Android download manager's content provider implementation, representing a critical security flaw that enables unauthorized data access through SQL injection techniques. This 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 manifests in the improper validation of user inputs passed to the download manager's content provider, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject SQL commands that can manipulate the underlying database queries.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the lack of proper input sanitization within the content provider interface of the download manager service. When applications or system components interact with the download manager's content provider to query or manipulate download records, the system fails to adequately validate or escape user-supplied parameters before incorporating them into SQL queries. This failure directly maps to CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection vulnerabilities as a result of insufficient input validation and sanitization of user data. The vulnerability exists at the database interaction layer where untrusted input flows directly into SQL command construction without proper parameterization or escaping mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables local information disclosure without requiring any additional privileges or user interaction for exploitation. Attackers can leverage this flaw to extract sensitive data from the download manager's database, potentially accessing download history, file paths, URLs, and other metadata associated with downloaded content. The lack of user interaction requirement makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited automatically by malicious applications or processes running with the same privileges as the download manager service. This type of attack aligns with ATT&CK technique T1074.001, which covers data staging through the use of local data repositories, and demonstrates how attackers can exploit legitimate system services to access sensitive information.
The exploitation of CVE-2018-9493 requires minimal attack surface as the vulnerability exists within the system's core download management functionality that is accessible to various applications. The download manager content provider serves as a central point for managing download operations, making it an attractive target for information gathering attacks. Once exploited, the SQL injection allows attackers to perform unauthorized database queries that can reveal comprehensive download records and related metadata. This information disclosure risk extends beyond simple file tracking data to potentially include sensitive network information, user preferences, and other data that could be leveraged for further attacks. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple Android versions suggests that it was likely a fundamental design flaw in the download manager's content provider implementation rather than a temporary coding error. Security researchers have noted that this vulnerability represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation in system services can create persistent security risks that affect entire platform versions. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of broader mobile security assessments, particularly in environments where Android devices handle sensitive data or operate in regulated compliance domains where information disclosure could lead to regulatory violations or security breaches.