CVE-2019-15445 in Samsung
Summary
by MITRE
The Samsung S7 Android device with a build fingerprint of samsung/heroltexx/herolte:8.0.0/R16NW/G930FXXS4ESC3:user/release-keys contains a pre-installed app with a package name of com.samsung.android.themecenter app (versionCode=7000000, versionName=7.0.0.0) 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 described in CVE-2019-15445 represents a significant security flaw within Samsung's Android implementation affecting the Galaxy S7 device with build fingerprint samsung/heroltexx/herolte:8.0.0/R16NW/G930FXXS4ESC3. This issue stems from improper access control mechanisms within the pre-installed Samsung Theme Center application, which operates with version code 7000000 and version name 7.0.0.0. The vulnerability resides in the application's component accessibility configuration that allows unauthorized pre-installed applications to perform package installation operations through exported components. This flaw specifically targets the Android operating system's permission model and component exposure mechanisms that are designed to maintain security boundaries between applications while enabling legitimate system functionality.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the exploitation of Android's signatureOrSystem permission requirements that are typically reserved for system-level applications. When pre-installed applications with appropriate permissions access exported components within the Theme Center application, they can leverage these capabilities to install additional packages on the device. This represents a critical breakdown in Android's security architecture where the principle of least privilege is violated, allowing potentially malicious pre-installed applications to gain unauthorized installation capabilities. The vulnerability specifically affects devices running Android 8.0.0 and is limited to Samsung's proprietary implementation of the Android framework, making it a vendor-specific security weakness rather than a generic Android vulnerability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized package installation, creating potential attack vectors for malicious actors who could exploit this weakness to deploy harmful applications without user consent or system administrator awareness. This capability allows for the installation of malware, spyware, or other malicious applications that could compromise user data, device integrity, and privacy. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the pre-installed application ecosystem where users typically have less visibility into the security posture of these applications. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that multiple pre-installed applications can potentially exploit this weakness, creating a chain reaction where one compromised application could enable further malicious activity through other vulnerable components.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on restricting the export of components within pre-installed applications and implementing stricter permission controls for signatureOrSystem level access. Organizations and users should consider updating to newer firmware versions where Samsung has addressed this issue through code modifications that properly restrict component access. The implementation of mobile device management solutions can help monitor for unauthorized application installations and provide additional layers of security control. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 Access Control Issues and represents a specific case of improper privilege management within the Android framework. It also maps to ATT&CK technique T1103 Application Installation, where adversaries establish persistence by installing malicious applications on compromised devices, though in this case the installation occurs through legitimate but improperly secured system components rather than through direct exploitation of user interaction or network-based attacks.