CVE-2019-15414 in ZenFone AR
Summary
by MITRE
The Asus ZenFone AR Android device with a build fingerprint of asus/WW_ASUS_A002/ASUS_A002:7.0/NRD90M/14.1600.1805.51-20180626: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 described in CVE-2019-15414 represents a critical security flaw within the Asus ZenFone AR Android device ecosystem, specifically targeting the device's pre-installed application architecture. This issue manifests through a pre-installed application named com.asus.splendidcommandagent which operates with version code 1510200105 and version name 1.2.0.21_180605. The core technical flaw lies in the improper exposure of command execution capabilities through an accessible app component, creating an attack surface that can be exploited by malicious pre-installed applications. The vulnerability stems from the lack of proper access controls and permission validation mechanisms within the Android application framework, allowing unauthorized command execution through legitimate pre-installed applications that possess signatureOrSystem permissions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it enables a sophisticated attack vector where one pre-installed application can leverage its elevated privileges to execute arbitrary commands on the device. This capability particularly affects the device's security model because it bypasses normal Android permission boundaries, allowing malicious actors to perform actions that should be restricted to system-level applications only. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the trusted pre-installed application ecosystem, making it difficult to detect and mitigate through standard user security practices. The attack surface is significantly expanded due to the fact that multiple pre-installed applications can potentially access and utilize this command execution capability, creating a chain reaction of potential compromise.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which addresses improper privileges and access control mechanisms in software applications. The flaw demonstrates a classic case of privilege escalation through insecure component exposure, where the system's trust model is violated by allowing unauthorized access to system-level capabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1068, which involves the exploitation of legitimate credentials and privileges to gain system access. The vulnerability's impact is further amplified by the fact that it operates at the system level within the Android framework, potentially allowing attackers to modify system configurations, access sensitive data, or establish persistent backdoors on the device.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. Device manufacturers should implement stricter access controls for pre-installed applications, ensuring that command execution capabilities are properly restricted to only those applications that genuinely require such privileges. The Android security model should enforce more rigorous validation of exported components and their associated permissions, particularly for system-level applications. Users should be advised to avoid installing untrusted applications that might attempt to exploit this vulnerability, while security researchers should monitor for similar issues in other device manufacturers' pre-installed application ecosystems. Additionally, regular security audits of pre-installed applications should be conducted to identify and remediate similar access control flaws that could potentially compromise device security.