CVE-2019-15413 in ZenFone 3 Ultra
Summary
by MITRE
The Asus ZenFone 3 Ultra Android device with a build fingerprint of asus/WW_Phone/ASUS_A001:7.0/NRD90M/14.1010.1804.75-20180612:user/release-keys contains a pre-installed app with a package name of com.asus.splendidcommandagent app (versionCode=1510200105, versionName=1.2.0.21_180605) that allows other pre-installed apps to perform command execution via an accessible app component. This capability can be accessed by any pre-installed app on the device which can obtain signatureOrSystem permissions that are required by other other pre-installed apps that exported their capabilities to other pre-installed app.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-15413 represents a critical security flaw in the Asus ZenFone 3 Ultra Android device, specifically within its pre-installed application ecosystem. This issue stems from the com.asus.splendidcommandagent application which operates with elevated privileges and exposes command execution capabilities through improperly configured application components. The vulnerability exists in a device build with the fingerprint asus/WW_Phone/ASUS_A001:7.0/NRD90M/14.1010.1804.75-20180612:user/release-keys, indicating this is a legacy Android 7.0 system with outdated security configurations that fail to properly enforce access controls between application components.
The technical flaw manifests through the improper exposure of application components within the pre-installed app ecosystem, allowing unauthorized command execution through accessible app components. This vulnerability specifically affects the com.asus.splendidcommandagent package which has versionCode=1510200105 and versionName=1.2.0.21_180605, demonstrating that the security controls were inadequate even in the version that was released. The flaw enables any pre-installed application on the device to perform command execution by leveraging signatureOrSystem permissions that are required by other pre-installed apps that have exported their capabilities to other applications within the same trusted environment. This creates a dangerous attack surface where malicious or compromised pre-installed applications can escalate privileges and execute arbitrary commands with system-level access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides a pathway for persistent threats to gain unauthorized system access and execute commands across the device. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to perform actions such as installing malicious applications, modifying system configurations, accessing sensitive user data, and potentially establishing backdoors for continued access. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the pre-installed application framework, meaning that users cannot easily remove or disable the vulnerable component. This makes it a persistent threat that remains active throughout the device lifecycle, and the attack surface extends to all pre-installed applications that may have been granted signatureOrSystem permissions, creating a chain reaction of potential compromises.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention through multiple approaches including firmware updates, application sandboxing, and system-level security hardening. The primary recommendation involves updating to the latest available firmware version from Asus which should contain patches addressing the exposed application components and improper permission handling. Security researchers should also implement strict permission controls and ensure that only necessary applications have signatureOrSystem permissions, following the principle of least privilege as outlined in industry standards such as CWE-255. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of all pre-installed applications and implement runtime monitoring to detect unauthorized command execution attempts. Additionally, the vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, and CWE-78 provides the underlying weakness classification for command injection vulnerabilities that this represents. Device manufacturers should adopt more rigorous security testing procedures for pre-installed applications and implement proper component access controls to prevent similar issues in future releases.