CVE-2019-15333 in Flair Z1
Summary
by MITRE
The Lava Flair Z1 Android device with a build fingerprint of LAVA/Z1/Z1:8.1.0/O11019/1536680131:user/release-keys contains a pre-installed app with a package name of com.android.lava.powersave app (versionCode=400, versionName=v4.0.27) that allows any app co-located on the device to programmatically disable and enable Wi-Fi without the corresponding access permission through an exported interface.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/14/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-15333 represents a significant security flaw in the Lava Flair Z1 Android device that stems from improper permission handling within a pre-installed system application. This vulnerability specifically affects the com.android.lava.powersave application which serves as a power management utility but contains a critical design flaw that exposes the device's wireless networking capabilities to unauthorized manipulation. The issue manifests through an exported interface within the application that allows any application installed on the same device to programmatically control Wi-Fi connectivity without requiring appropriate permissions, creating a dangerous privilege escalation vector that undermines the Android security model.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the improper exposure of system-level networking controls through a component that should have been restricted to system-level or privileged applications. The exported interface within the power save application allows arbitrary code execution that can toggle Wi-Fi state through programmatic calls, effectively bypassing Android's standard permission model that typically requires explicit Wi-Fi management permissions for such operations. This flaw directly violates the principle of least privilege and represents a classic example of insecure exposure of system services. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-276, which addresses improper privilege management, and specifically relates to CWE-732, which deals with inadequate protection of system resources against modification. The flaw enables malicious applications to silently disable or enable wireless connectivity, potentially disrupting device functionality, creating denial of service conditions, or enabling more sophisticated attacks that rely on network state manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple network connectivity disruption to encompass broader security implications that could be exploited by attackers to compromise device integrity and user privacy. An attacker with malicious applications installed on the device could use this vulnerability to silently disable Wi-Fi connectivity, preventing the device from connecting to secure networks or enabling network-based attacks. This capability could be leveraged to create persistent denial of service conditions, force devices into unsecured network states, or enable man-in-the-middle attacks by manipulating network connectivity. The vulnerability affects all users of the Lava Flair Z1 device running the specific build mentioned, creating a widespread exposure that could be exploited across multiple threat scenarios. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1068, which addresses exploit for privilege escalation, and T1566, which covers credential access through network attacks, making it particularly dangerous in environments where network security is paramount.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. Device users should avoid installing untrusted applications that could exploit this vulnerability, while system administrators should implement application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized applications from running on affected devices. The most effective immediate solution involves updating the device firmware to a version that removes or properly restricts the exported interface within the power save application. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect abnormal Wi-Fi state changes, which could indicate exploitation attempts. Security vendors should develop signature-based detection mechanisms that can identify applications attempting to exploit this vulnerability, while device manufacturers should implement stricter permission controls for system-level applications and conduct more thorough security reviews of pre-installed applications. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper application sandboxing and the need for comprehensive security testing of system-level components before device deployment, as this flaw could be exploited to create persistent backdoors or enable more sophisticated attacks that require network connectivity manipulation.