CVE-2019-15368 in 1851
Summary
by MITRE
The Coolpad 1851 Android device with a build fingerprint of Coolpad/android/android:8.1.0/O11019/1534834761: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-2019-15368 represents a critical security flaw in the Coolpad 1851 Android device running Android 8.1.0. This issue stems from a pre-installed application named com.mediatek.wfo.impl which serves as a component for handling wireless feature operations within the device's telephony framework. The specific weakness lies in the application's implementation of an exported interface that permits arbitrary modification of system properties without adequate authentication or authorization mechanisms. This design flaw directly violates fundamental security principles governing system integrity and access control within mobile operating environments.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the exposed interface within the com.mediatek.wfo.impl application, which allows any application co-located on the same device to manipulate system properties. This exported interface lacks proper input validation and access control checks, creating a path for malicious applications to modify critical system parameters that should remain protected from unauthorized modification. The vulnerability specifically enables privilege escalation attacks where a low-privilege application can gain elevated system-level capabilities through manipulation of system properties. This flaw falls under the CWE category of improper access control, specifically CWE-284, which addresses inadequate permissions for critical system resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential system compromise and data integrity violations. An attacker with malicious software installed on the device can exploit this weakness to modify system properties that govern telephony functionality, network connectivity, or device security settings. The implications are particularly severe given that this vulnerability exists in a pre-installed application that cannot be easily removed or updated by end users, creating a persistent threat vector. This issue directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and potentially T1547.001 for "Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder" if the system properties control startup behaviors.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. Device manufacturers should implement proper access controls on exported interfaces within system applications, ensuring that only authorized components can modify system properties. The application should enforce strict input validation and authentication checks before allowing any property modifications to occur. Additionally, security patches should be deployed to restrict the export of interfaces that could enable unauthorized system modifications. Organizations should consider implementing application blacklisting or whitelisting policies to prevent malicious applications from exploiting this weakness. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper privilege management in mobile operating systems, particularly for pre-installed system applications that have elevated access rights. Users should be advised to avoid installing untrusted applications on affected devices until proper patches are available, and security monitoring should be implemented to detect unauthorized system property modifications.