CVE-2019-20468 in Q90 Junior GPS Horloge
Summary
by MITRE • 02/02/2021
An issue was discovered in SeTracker2 for TK-Star Q90 Junior GPS horloge 3.1042.9.8656 devices. It has unnecessary permissions such as READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE, WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE, and READ_CONTACTS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/30/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-20468 affects the SeTracker2 application running on TK-Star Q90 Junior GPS devices with firmware version 3.1042.9.8656. This represents a significant security concern within the mobile device ecosystem, particularly in the context of GPS tracking and location-based services. The issue stems from the application's excessive permission model, which grants unnecessary access rights that extend beyond the application's legitimate functional requirements. Such over-permissioning creates a substantial attack surface that malicious actors can exploit to compromise user privacy and device security.
The technical flaw manifests through the application's implementation of three specific permissions that are not justified by its core functionality. The READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission allows the application to access all files stored on the device's external storage, potentially enabling unauthorized data extraction from personal documents, photos, and other sensitive information. The WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission provides the capability to modify or delete files on external storage, creating opportunities for data corruption or malicious file injection. Additionally, the READ_CONTACTS permission grants access to the user's entire contact list, which could be exploited for social engineering attacks or data exfiltration. These permissions collectively represent a violation of the principle of least privilege, where applications should only request access to resources necessary for their primary functions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privacy concerns to encompass broader security implications for users of these GPS tracking devices. The excessive permissions create multiple vectors for potential exploitation, including data theft, device compromise, and unauthorized tracking activities. When a GPS tracking application has access to external storage, it can potentially read and write files that may contain sensitive personal information, financial data, or corporate secrets. The contact access permission poses particular risk as it enables the application to gather personal relationship data that could be used for targeted attacks or identity theft. These permissions also increase the risk of privilege escalation attacks, where an attacker could leverage the application's access to perform actions that would otherwise be restricted. The vulnerability affects both individual users who rely on GPS tracking for personal safety and business users who depend on fleet management or asset tracking solutions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation efforts and long-term security improvements. Device manufacturers and application developers must implement proper permission auditing processes to ensure that applications only request necessary access rights. The principle of least privilege should be strictly enforced, with applications configured to operate with minimal required permissions. Users should be educated about permission management and encouraged to review application permissions regularly. Security frameworks such as those defined in the CWE catalog should be referenced to understand the specific risks associated with improper permission handling, particularly CWE-250 which addresses privileges and CWE-276 which covers insecure permissions. Organizations should also consider implementing mobile device management solutions that can monitor and control application permissions across deployed devices. The ATT&CK framework's T1059 and T1069 categories provide relevant context for understanding how these permissions could be leveraged for malicious purposes, including command execution and credential access. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar over-permissioning issues in other applications and ensure that security measures remain effective against evolving threats.