CVE-2019-15338 in Iris 88 Lite
Summary
by MITRE
The Lava Iris 88 Lite Android device with a build fingerprint of LAVA/iris88_lite/iris88_lite:8.1.0/O11019/1536323070: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-2019-15338 represents a critical security flaw in the Lava Iris 88 Lite Android device that stems from improper permission handling within a pre-installed system application. This issue specifically affects devices running Android 8.1.0 with the build fingerprint LAVA/iris88_lite/iris88_lite:8.1.0/O11019/1536323070:user/release-keys where the com.android.lava.powersave application package exhibits dangerous behavior through its exported interface. The vulnerability manifests when a malicious application co-located on the same device can programmatically manipulate Wi-Fi connectivity states without possessing the necessary runtime permissions typically required for such operations.
The technical flaw resides in the improper exposure of system-level Wi-Fi management functions within the power saving application. This exported interface allows unauthorized applications to invoke methods that control wireless network connectivity, effectively bypassing the Android permission model that normally requires explicit wifi permission declarations. The vulnerability directly correlates to CWE-284 which describes inadequate access control mechanisms, specifically where applications fail to properly validate permissions before executing privileged operations. The exported interface creates an attack surface that enables privilege escalation through the exploitation of the device's power management subsystem.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple Wi-Fi control manipulation and represents a significant threat to device security and user privacy. Attackers can leverage this flaw to disrupt network connectivity at will, potentially causing denial of service conditions or enabling more sophisticated attacks such as network-based reconnaissance and data exfiltration. The vulnerability allows for persistent network disruption without user consent or awareness, creating opportunities for malicious actors to interfere with device functionality or establish covert communication channels. This capability can be particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where device management and network security policies may be compromised.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate device-level remediation and long-term security architecture improvements. Users should update to the latest firmware version if available and avoid installing untrusted applications that may exploit this interface. Network administrators should implement mobile device management policies that restrict application installation and monitor for suspicious network behavior. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper interface exposure controls and the need for security reviews of pre-installed applications, particularly those with system-level access permissions. Organizations should consider implementing application blacklisting policies and network monitoring to detect unauthorized Wi-Fi manipulation attempts. This vulnerability highlights the necessity of adhering to ATT&CK framework principles for mobile security where adversaries can leverage legitimate system tools to perform malicious activities through unauthorized access to system interfaces, emphasizing the critical need for proper permission validation and secure coding practices in mobile application development.