CVE-2019-15334 in Iris 88 Go
Summary
by MITRE
The Lava Iris 88 Go Android device with a build fingerprint of LAVA/iris88_go/iris88_go:8.1.0/O11019/1538188945: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
This vulnerability exists within the Lava Iris 88 Go Android device running Android 8.1.0 where a pre-installed application named com.android.lava.powersave exhibits improper access control behavior. The application exposes an exported interface that enables any co-located application to programmatically toggle Wi-Fi connectivity status without requiring proper authorization permissions. This represents a critical security flaw that violates fundamental Android security principles and creates significant operational risks for device users and network administrators.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the improper exposure of system-level functionality through an exported component within the powersave application. According to CWE-707, this constitutes a weakness in the design of the application's security model where unauthorized components can invoke privileged operations. The exported interface allows malicious or compromised applications to disable and enable Wi-Fi connectivity at will, effectively bypassing the Android permission model that should normally require explicit user consent or appropriate runtime permissions for such system modifications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple connectivity disruption to encompass broader security implications for network monitoring, device management, and user privacy. Attackers could exploit this weakness to create persistent network isolation, disrupt legitimate network communications, or even facilitate more sophisticated attacks by selectively disabling network connectivity to prevent security updates or monitoring tools from functioning. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where network policies and security controls depend on consistent connectivity, and could be leveraged to bypass security controls through denial-of-service attacks against network services.
From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to several techniques including T1082 (System Information Discovery) and T1490 (Inhibit System Recovery) as attackers can programmatically control network connectivity to disrupt system functionality. The vulnerability also relates to T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) through the ability to manipulate system services without proper authorization. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including disabling or removing the vulnerable application, enforcing strict application permission controls, and monitoring for unauthorized Wi-Fi toggling activities. Additionally, device administrators should consider implementing mobile device management policies that restrict access to system-level network controls and conduct regular security audits to identify similar unauthorized exported interfaces across all pre-installed applications.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the importance of proper security review processes for pre-installed applications, particularly those with system-level capabilities. Android security model relies heavily on proper component exposure controls and permission enforcement, making this type of flaw particularly dangerous as it represents a fundamental breakdown in the security architecture. Regular security assessments of device firmware and pre-installed applications should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities that could compromise user data integrity and network security posture. Organizations should also consider implementing network-level monitoring to detect anomalous Wi-Fi connectivity patterns that may indicate exploitation of this or similar vulnerabilities.