CVE-2019-14760 in KaiOS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in KaiOS 2.5. The pre-installed Recorder application is vulnerable to HTML and JavaScript injection attacks. A local attacker can inject arbitrary HTML into the Recorder application. At a bare minimum, this allows an attacker to take control over the Recorder application's UI (e.g., display a malicious prompt to the user asking them to re-enter credentials such as their KaiOS credentials to continue using the application) and also allows an attacker to abuse any of the privileges available to the mobile application.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/15/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-14760 represents a critical security flaw in KaiOS 2.5's pre-installed Recorder application that exposes users to sophisticated attack vectors through improper input validation and sanitization. This issue manifests as a code injection vulnerability that allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary HTML and JavaScript code directly into the application's runtime environment, fundamentally compromising the integrity of the mobile operating system's security model. The vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user inputs and dynamic content rendering within the Recorder application's interface, creating a persistent attack surface that persists across application sessions and system reboots.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability operates through a classic cross-site scripting attack pattern where malicious HTML content can be injected into the Recorder application's rendering pipeline. This injection occurs at the application level without requiring external network access, making it particularly dangerous as it can be executed through local system manipulation or malicious file handling within the device's file system. The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-79 which describes Cross-Site Scripting flaws, and specifically aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, demonstrating how attackers can leverage the application's legitimate JavaScript execution capabilities to perform unauthorized operations. The injected code can manipulate the application's user interface to create convincing phishing prompts that deceive users into providing sensitive information such as KaiOS credentials, banking details, or other personal identifiers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple phishing attacks to encompass full privilege escalation within the mobile application sandbox environment. Attackers can leverage the injected JavaScript to access and manipulate all application-level privileges available to the Recorder application, potentially including access to device storage, microphone functionality, and other system resources that the application normally controls. This creates a pathway for more sophisticated attacks including data exfiltration, persistent backdoor installation, and further exploitation of the device's operating system. The local attack vector means that no network connectivity is required for exploitation, making the vulnerability particularly concerning for environments where device security is paramount. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that the injected code can persist across application restarts, potentially enabling long-term surveillance or data collection capabilities that can remain undetected for extended periods.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-14760 must focus on immediate application-level patching and input validation improvements to prevent HTML and JavaScript injection attacks. Organizations should implement strict content sanitization protocols that filter all user inputs and dynamic content before rendering within the application's interface. The recommended approach includes implementing a comprehensive input validation framework that strips or encodes potentially dangerous HTML characters and JavaScript code blocks. Additionally, the application should be configured with strict Content Security Policy headers that prevent execution of inline scripts and restrict external resource loading. System administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict the Recorder application's access to sensitive device resources and establish monitoring protocols to detect unauthorized modifications to the application's codebase. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of regular security assessments and penetration testing of pre-installed applications, particularly those with elevated privileges, to identify similar injection vulnerabilities that could compromise the overall security posture of mobile operating systems.