CVE-2019-15442 in on7xelteskt
Summary
by MITRE
The Samsung on7xelteskt Android device with a build fingerprint of samsung/on7xelteskt/on7xelteskt:8.1.0/M1AJQ/G610SKSU2CSB1:user/release-keys contains a pre-installed app with a package name of com.samsung.android.themecenter app (versionCode=7000100, versionName=7.0.1.0) that allows other pre-installed apps to perform app installation 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-2019-15442 represents a critical security flaw within Samsung's Android-based on7xelteskt device model, specifically affecting the pre-installed theme center application. This issue stems from improper access control mechanisms within the Android permission system, where the com.samsung.android.themecenter application exposes functionality that permits other pre-installed applications to install additional applications on the device. The vulnerability manifests through the exposure of an exported component within the theme center app that lacks proper authorization checks, creating an attack surface that can be exploited by malicious pre-installed applications. The build fingerprint samsung/on7xelteskt/on7xelteskt:8.1.0/M1AJQ/G610SKSU2CSB1 indicates this affects a specific Samsung device variant running Android 8.1.0, where the theme center application version 7.0.1.0 contains the problematic implementation.
The technical flaw lies in the application's component exposure and permission model implementation, where the exported app component allows installation operations without proper verification of the calling application's privileges or intent. This vulnerability specifically requires that other pre-installed applications possess signatureOrSystem permissions, which are typically granted to system-level applications and certain pre-installed components. The flaw can be categorized under CWE-276 as improper file permissions or access control, and more specifically aligns with CWE-732 as improper permission assignment. The vulnerability operates at the Android application level where the system's security model fails to properly enforce access controls between pre-installed applications, creating a privilege escalation path that allows one pre-installed app to execute installation commands on behalf of another.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables malicious pre-installed applications to silently install additional software without user consent or awareness, potentially leading to the deployment of malware, spyware, or other unwanted applications. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it operates within the trusted pre-installed application ecosystem, making it difficult to detect and preventing standard user-based security measures from blocking the malicious activity. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat model where compromised pre-installed applications can maintain persistence and expand their capabilities through unauthorized installations, potentially compromising device integrity and user privacy. This flaw can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1103 as Application Installation, where adversaries gain access to legitimate installation mechanisms to deploy malicious software.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve multiple layers of defense including immediate firmware updates from Samsung to address the exposed component, implementation of proper permission controls within the Android application framework, and enhanced monitoring of pre-installed application behavior. Security researchers recommend that device manufacturers implement stricter access control policies for exported components and ensure that system-level applications cannot perform installation operations without explicit user consent or additional verification mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized installation operations and conduct regular security audits of pre-installed applications to identify similar exposure vulnerabilities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper Android security model implementation and the need for comprehensive application sandboxing to prevent privilege escalation between pre-installed components.