CVE-2019-15429 in ELUGA I9
Summary
by MITRE
The Panasonic ELUGA_I9 Android device with a build fingerprint of Panasonic/ELUGA_I9/ELUGA_I9:7.0/NRD90M/1501740649:user/release-keys contains a pre-installed app with a package name of com.ovvi.modem app (versionCode=1, versionName=1) that allows unauthorized attacker-controlled at command 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-2019-15429 represents a critical security flaw in the Panasonic ELUGA_I9 Android device that stems from improper privilege management and a confused deputy attack vector. This vulnerability specifically targets a pre-installed application named com.ovvi.modem with version code 1 and version name 1, which is present in the device's build fingerprint Panasonic/ELUGA_I9/ELUGA_I9:7.0/NRD90M/1501740649:user/release-keys. The core issue manifests when this modem application accepts AT commands from unauthorized sources, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary commands on the device's communication module.
The technical flaw exploited in this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which describes improper access control mechanisms, and more specifically relates to confused deputy problems where a trusted application incorrectly processes requests from untrusted sources. The vulnerability occurs because the com.ovvi.modem application lacks proper authentication and authorization checks when processing incoming AT commands, allowing any application co-located on the device to send commands that would normally require elevated privileges. This represents a fundamental breakdown in Android's security model where the system fails to properly enforce the principle of least privilege for system-level communication interfaces.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with direct control over the device's modem functionality, potentially enabling them to intercept communications, modify network settings, or even disable connectivity features entirely. The fact that any co-located application can exploit this vulnerability means that malicious actors do not need to gain elevated privileges through traditional attack vectors, but can leverage the legitimate application's permissions to execute harmful operations. This creates a particularly dangerous scenario where the device's communication capabilities become fully compromised without requiring additional attack surfaces or complex exploitation techniques.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it operates at the system level rather than through user-facing applications, making detection more difficult and the impact more severe. Organizations and users should consider this vulnerability as a critical threat that requires immediate attention, especially in environments where device security is paramount. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper security auditing of pre-installed applications and the need for comprehensive privilege management in mobile operating systems. Mitigation strategies should include immediate device updates from Panasonic, application sandboxing measures, and comprehensive security monitoring to detect unauthorized AT command execution patterns.
The broader implications of this vulnerability demonstrate how embedded system components in mobile devices can become attack vectors when proper security boundaries are not maintained between system applications and user-level processes. This flaw underscores the necessity for comprehensive security testing of all pre-installed applications and the importance of maintaining strict separation of privileges in Android's security architecture. The vulnerability serves as a reminder that even seemingly benign system applications can become critical security concerns when proper access controls are not implemented, particularly in the context of modem and telephony functionality that requires extensive system-level permissions.