CVE-2019-15336 in Z61 Turbo
Summary
by MITRE
The Lava Z61 Turbo Android device with a build fingerprint of LAVA/Z61_Turbo/Z61_Turbo:8.1.0/O11019/1536917928:user/release-keys contains a pre-installed app with a package name of com.android.lava.powersave app (versionCode=400, versionName=v4.0.31) 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-2019-15336 represents a critical security flaw in the Lava Z61 Turbo smartphone device running Android 8.1.0. This issue stems from a pre-installed power saving application named com.android.lava.powersave which exposes an insecure exported interface that permits arbitrary applications to manipulate wireless network connectivity. The affected device carries the build fingerprint LAVA/Z61_Turbo/Z61_Turbo:8.1.0/O11019/1536917928:user/release-keys, indicating a specific manufacturing and software configuration that introduces this susceptibility. The vulnerable application operates with version code 400 and version name v4.0.31, suggesting this weakness exists within a particular software iteration of the power management service.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through improper access control mechanisms within the Android framework. The exported interface in the com.android.lava.powersave application allows any application with sufficient privileges to programmatically toggle Wi-Fi connectivity without requiring the appropriate android.permission.CHANGE_WIFI_STATE permission. This design flaw violates fundamental Android security principles and creates an attack surface where malicious applications can exploit this functionality to disable wireless connectivity, potentially disrupting user communications or enabling more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-284, which describes inadequate access control mechanisms, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege in mobile security architecture.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple connectivity disruption to encompass broader security implications for device users. Any application co-located on the device can leverage this exported interface to disable Wi-Fi connectivity, which could be used for malicious purposes such as preventing users from accessing security updates, disabling network-based authentication mechanisms, or creating persistent denial-of-service conditions. Attackers could potentially use this capability to lock users out of network services or manipulate their device behavior without explicit user consent. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers social engineering tactics, as it enables adversaries to create conditions that may trick users into performing actions that would otherwise be prevented by network connectivity restrictions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. Device manufacturers must ensure that exported interfaces within system applications properly validate caller permissions and enforce appropriate access controls. The recommended approach involves implementing proper permission checking mechanisms that verify whether calling applications possess the necessary privileges before allowing Wi-Fi state modifications. Additionally, security researchers should implement proper interface isolation and avoid exposing system-level functionality through applications that are not properly secured. Users should be advised to avoid installing untrusted applications that might exploit this vulnerability, while device manufacturers should consider implementing runtime integrity checks to detect and prevent unauthorized modifications to system applications. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper security design in mobile platforms and the necessity of regular security audits to identify and remediate similar exposure points that could compromise user privacy and device integrity.