CVE-2019-15427 in Mi Mix
Summary
by MITRE
The Xiaomi Mi Mix Android device with a build fingerprint of Xiaomi/lithium/lithium:6.0.1/MXB48T/7.1.5:user/release-keys contains a pre-installed app with a package name of com.miui.powerkeeper app (versionCode=40000, versionName=4.0.00) that allows unauthorized wireless settings modification via a confused deputy attack. This capability can be accessed by any app co-located on the device.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-15427 represents a critical security flaw in Xiaomi Mi Mix devices running Android 6.0.1, specifically affecting the pre-installed miui.powerkeeper application. This issue stems from a confused deputy attack vector that enables malicious applications to manipulate wireless settings without proper authorization. The affected device build fingerprint Xiaomi/lithium/lithium:6.0.1/MXB48T/7.1.5 indicates a specific hardware and software configuration that exposes this vulnerability. The powerkeeper application with version code 40000 and version name 4.0.00 serves as the primary attack surface, as it contains insecure permissions that allow any co-located application to perform unauthorized modifications to wireless configurations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a classic confused deputy problem where the legitimate powerkeeper application inadvertently grants privileges to malicious actors through improper permission handling. When applications share the same user ID or are installed in the same package group, they can exploit the powerkeeper's elevated privileges to modify wireless settings such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular configurations. This flaw operates at the system level and leverages Android's permission model weaknesses, specifically allowing applications to bypass normal security boundaries that should protect wireless configuration settings from unauthorized modification. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no special privileges or root access, making it exploitable by any application present on the device.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple wireless configuration changes, as it can enable sophisticated attack vectors including network interception, data exfiltration, and device compromise. Attackers can manipulate wireless settings to redirect traffic through malicious networks, disable security features, or create backdoors for persistent access. This capability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059 and T1566 categories, where adversaries use legitimate system tools to establish persistence and conduct reconnaissance. The vulnerability also aligns with CWE-284, which describes improper access control, and CWE-352, which covers cross-site request forgery. The ability to modify wireless settings without authorization creates opportunities for man-in-the-middle attacks, credential theft, and surveillance operations that can compromise user privacy and data integrity.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require both immediate and long-term approaches to address the underlying permission model issues. Device users should immediately update to the latest firmware versions provided by Xiaomi, as the company has likely released patches addressing this specific confused deputy attack vector. System administrators should implement application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized applications from being installed alongside system applications that handle sensitive wireless configurations. Network monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous wireless configuration changes that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security researchers recommend that developers follow secure coding practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities in future implementations, particularly focusing on proper privilege separation and avoiding insecure inter-application communication patterns. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security audits of pre-installed applications and their permission requirements, as these applications often have elevated privileges that can be exploited if not properly secured against confused deputy attacks.