CVE-2019-15359 in Haier
Summary
by MITRE
The Haier A6 Android device with a build fingerprint of Haier/A6/A6:8.1.0/O11019/1534219877:userdebug/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.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/14/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-15359 resides within the Haier A6 Android device, specifically targeting a pre-installed application component that exposes an insecure interface for system property modification. This flaw manifests through the com.mediatek.wfo.impl application package which operates with version code 27 and version name 8.1.0, representing a critical security oversight in the device's permission model. The vulnerability stems from the application's exported interface that permits arbitrary apps co-located on the same device to manipulate system properties without proper authentication or authorization mechanisms, creating an inherent privilege escalation risk.
This security weakness directly violates fundamental Android security principles and aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in software systems. The vulnerability enables malicious applications that are already present on the device to potentially alter critical system parameters that should remain protected from unauthorized modification. The exposed interface represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege, where system-level operations should require appropriate permissions or authentication before execution. This flaw essentially provides a backdoor mechanism for any application with sufficient privileges to modify system configurations that could affect device stability, security posture, and user privacy.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to potentially compromise the entire device security architecture. Attackers could exploit this weakness to modify system properties that control network connectivity, device behavior, or security settings, potentially enabling more sophisticated attacks such as persistent rootkit installation or device hijacking. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the system level without requiring user interaction or elevated privileges beyond what is already granted to applications installed on the device. This characteristic places the vulnerability within the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the T1068 - Steal or Modify Tools and T1543 - Create or Modify System Process categories.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-15359 should focus on implementing proper access controls and interface restrictions within the affected application. Device manufacturers should ensure that exported interfaces only accept calls from authorized system components and implement proper signature verification mechanisms before allowing system property modifications. Security researchers and device manufacturers should conduct comprehensive audits of all pre-installed applications to identify similar vulnerabilities that may exist in other system components. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of applying the principle of least privilege to all exported interfaces, particularly those that interact with system-level functionality. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime monitoring and anomaly detection systems that can identify unauthorized modifications to critical system properties, providing an additional layer of defense against exploitation of similar vulnerabilities.