CVE-2019-15354 in Armor 5
Summary
by MITRE
The Ulefone Armor 5 Android device with a build fingerprint of Ulefone/Ulefone_Armor_5/Ulefone_Armor_5:8.1.0/O11019/1528806701:user/release-keys contains a pre-installed app with a package name of com.mediatek.wfo.impl app (versionCode=27, versionName=8.1.0) that allows any app co-located on the device to modify a system property through an exported interface without proper authorization.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/14/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-15354 resides within the Ulefone Armor 5 Android device ecosystem, specifically targeting a pre-installed application component that operates with excessive privileges. This flaw manifests through a system property modification interface that has been improperly exposed to other applications running on the same device. The affected application com.mediatek.wfo.impl operates with version code 27 and version name 8.1.0, representing a component developed by MediaTek that handles wireless feature operations. The device in question operates on Android 8.1.0 with build fingerprint Ulefone/Ulefone_Armor_5/Ulefone_Armor_5:8.1.0/O11019/1528806701:user/release-keys, indicating a specific hardware and software configuration that exposes this vulnerability.
The technical flaw represents a critical authorization bypass vulnerability that allows any application co-located on the device to manipulate system properties through an exported interface. This issue stems from improper access control mechanisms within the application's design, where system-level interfaces have been made accessible to all applications without appropriate authentication or permission checks. The exported interface provides direct access to system property modification capabilities that should only be available to system-level processes or applications with elevated privileges. This misconfiguration creates a path for privilege escalation attacks where malicious applications can manipulate core system parameters that control device behavior and security settings.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized modifications, as it enables adversaries to potentially compromise the integrity of the device's security posture. Any application installed on the device can leverage this exported interface to alter system properties that may affect network connectivity, device authentication mechanisms, or other critical operational parameters. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that remains active as long as the affected application exists on the device, potentially allowing attackers to modify security-related properties or disable protective mechanisms. This represents a significant risk to device users as it undermines the fundamental security model of Android, where applications should operate with minimal necessary privileges and cannot modify system-level configurations without proper authorization.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues in software systems, and represents a classic example of how exported interfaces can create security weaknesses when not properly secured. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques that leverage exposed system interfaces to gain elevated access rights. The flaw also relates to CWE-707, which covers improper neutralization of special elements used in a different context, as the exported interface may not properly validate or sanitize inputs from potentially malicious applications. Organizations and users should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader mobile device security posture, particularly in environments where device integrity is paramount. The affected MediaTek implementation suggests this may be a broader issue affecting multiple devices using similar software configurations, warranting investigation into related vulnerabilities within the same vendor ecosystem.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate application-level fixes, including removing or securing the exported interface, implementing proper authentication mechanisms, and conducting comprehensive security audits of all system components. Device manufacturers should ensure that system properties can only be modified through properly authenticated and authorized processes. Users should be advised to avoid installing untrusted applications that could exploit this vulnerability, while security researchers should monitor for similar issues in other MediaTek implementations. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper security hardening in pre-installed applications and demonstrates how seemingly minor interface exposure can create significant security risks. Regular security updates and proper vulnerability management processes are essential to prevent exploitation of such flaws in mobile device ecosystems.