CVE-2018-9586 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In run of InstallPackageTask.java in Android-7.0, Android-7.1.1, Android-7.1.2, Android-8.0, Android-8.1 and Android-9, it is possible that package verification is turned off and remains off due to a race condition. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. Android ID: A-116754444.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/04/2023
The vulnerability described in CVE-2018-9586 represents a critical race condition flaw within the Android package installation framework that affects multiple versions from Android 7.0 through 9.0. This issue resides in the InstallPackageTask.java component where the package verification mechanism can be inadvertently disabled due to timing dependencies in the installation process. The flaw stems from improper synchronization between the package verification state management and the installation task execution, creating a window where verification can be bypassed without user interaction. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows for local privilege escalation without requiring any additional execution privileges or user interaction, making it a significant security risk for Android devices. The Android ID A-116754444 indicates this was tracked as a specific security concern within Google's internal vulnerability tracking system.
The technical implementation of this race condition occurs during the package installation process where the system checks whether package verification is enabled before proceeding with installation tasks. When multiple threads or processes attempt to access and modify the verification state simultaneously, the timing of these operations can cause the verification mechanism to be disabled permanently or temporarily. This race condition specifically affects the InstallPackageTask.java class which handles the core package installation logic and validation procedures. The flaw manifests when the verification check occurs before the installation task properly initializes the verification state, or when concurrent operations interfere with the state management. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-362, which describes a race condition error that allows multiple threads or processes to access shared resources concurrently, potentially leading to unpredictable behavior and security weaknesses. This particular implementation aligns with the broader category of concurrency issues that can lead to privilege escalation when proper synchronization mechanisms are not implemented.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple package installation failures as it creates a persistent security weakness that can be exploited by malicious applications already present on the device. Attackers can leverage this race condition to install packages without proper verification, potentially allowing malware to bypass security checks that would normally prevent installation of untrusted applications. The lack of user interaction requirement means that exploitation can occur automatically in the background, making detection more difficult for end users and security monitoring systems. This vulnerability enables local privilege escalation because it allows applications to install packages with elevated privileges that would normally be restricted. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through legitimate package installation processes, making it harder to distinguish between benign and malicious activity. The vulnerability essentially creates a backdoor mechanism where verification checks can be bypassed without any explicit user consent or awareness.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require both immediate system-level patches and architectural improvements to prevent similar race conditions in the future. Android security updates should include proper synchronization mechanisms that ensure package verification states are consistently managed across all installation threads and processes. The fix should implement atomic operations or proper locking mechanisms to prevent concurrent access to verification state variables during package installation. Organizations should ensure that all Android devices are updated with the latest security patches immediately upon release, as this vulnerability can be exploited by malware without any user interaction. Network administrators and security teams should monitor for any unauthorized package installations that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper concurrency control in security-critical systems and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which covers privilege escalation through installation of malicious packages. System administrators should also consider implementing additional monitoring for package installation activities and verify that package verification mechanisms remain active after installation operations. This vulnerability underscores the necessity of comprehensive testing for race conditions in security-sensitive code paths and the importance of following secure coding practices that prevent concurrent access issues in critical system components.