CVE-2019-15337 in Z81
Summary
by MITRE
The Lava Z81 Android device with a build fingerprint of LAVA/Z81/Z81:8.1.0/O11019/1532317309: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-2019-15337 represents a significant security flaw in the Lava Z81 Android device firmware that stems from improper permission handling within a pre-installed system application. This issue manifests through the com.android.lava.powersave application which exposes an exported interface allowing arbitrary applications to programmatically control Wi-Fi functionality without requiring the necessary permissions. The vulnerability specifically affects devices with the build fingerprint LAVA/Z81/Z81:8.1.0/O11019/1532317309:user/release-keys and demonstrates a classic case of insecure permission model implementation that violates fundamental Android security principles.
The technical flaw resides in the improper exportation of system interfaces within the power saving application, creating an attack surface that enables malicious applications to manipulate network connectivity. This vulnerability operates at the system level and leverages Android's permission model weaknesses by exposing functionality that should require explicit user consent or specific permission grants. The exported interface allows for both enabling and disabling Wi-Fi connections through programmatic means, effectively bypassing the normal Android security controls that typically require applications to declare and receive appropriate permissions before accessing network management functions. This represents a direct violation of CWE-255: "Credentials Management" and CWE-732: "Incorrect Permission Assignment" categories, as the application fails to properly enforce access controls for sensitive system functions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple network management disruption and creates potential security risks for users of the affected device. Malicious applications could exploit this flaw to silently disable Wi-Fi connectivity to prevent users from accessing network resources, potentially forcing them into less secure network environments or disrupting critical communications. Additionally, the vulnerability could be used to create persistent network isolation scenarios that might be leveraged in more sophisticated attacks, including man-in-the-middle scenarios or denial-of-service conditions. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083: "File and Directory Discovery" and T1566: "Phishing" as it could be combined with social engineering to create more effective attack vectors. The ability to programmatically control network connectivity without user consent undermines the fundamental trust model of mobile operating systems and creates opportunities for various attack patterns including network-based reconnaissance and communication disruption.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate firmware updates from Lava to address the exposed interface and proper permission enforcement. System administrators and security professionals should implement application blacklisting for the vulnerable package com.android.lava.powersave until a patch is available, as well as monitor for any unauthorized network connectivity changes on affected devices. Users should be advised to avoid installing untrusted applications that might exploit this vulnerability, and organizations should consider implementing mobile device management policies that restrict the installation of applications that could potentially interact with system-level network controls. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper security testing during the Android application development lifecycle and the need for comprehensive permission auditing to prevent similar issues in other pre-installed applications.