CVE-2019-2183 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In generateServicesMap of RegisteredServicesCache.java, there is a possible account protection bypass due to a caching optimization. This could lead to local information disclosure with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-9 Android-10Android ID: A-136261465
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/03/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-2183 resides within the Android operating system's service registration and caching mechanism, specifically in the generateServicesMap method of the RegisteredServicesCache.java component. This flaw represents a critical security oversight that undermines the platform's account protection mechanisms through an improper caching optimization that inadvertently exposes sensitive information. The vulnerability affects Android 9 and Android 10 versions, making it particularly concerning given the widespread deployment of these operating system versions across mobile devices worldwide.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from an overly aggressive caching optimization implemented within the Android framework's service registration system. When the system processes registered services and generates a service map for caching purposes, the optimization logic fails to properly validate or sanitize the cached data, allowing potentially sensitive information to persist in the cache beyond its intended scope. This optimization, intended to improve performance by reducing redundant processing, creates a condition where account-related metadata and service information can be accessed by unauthorized components or processes that should not have such visibility. The flaw operates at the system level within the Android framework, leveraging the caching infrastructure to maintain information that should be restricted to specific access contexts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables local information disclosure without requiring any additional privileges or user interaction for exploitation. An attacker with local access to an affected Android device can potentially extract sensitive account information, service registration details, and other metadata that would normally be protected by the system's access controls. This bypass of account protection mechanisms can lead to comprehensive exposure of user services, application permissions, and potentially sensitive operational data that could be leveraged for further attacks. The vulnerability's exploitation requires no special privileges beyond local device access, making it particularly dangerous in environments where device security is compromised or where attackers have already gained local execution capabilities.
The security implications extend beyond simple information disclosure to encompass potential privilege escalation pathways and comprehensive account reconnaissance capabilities. Attackers can utilize this vulnerability to gather detailed information about installed services, user account configurations, and system service interactions that could inform more sophisticated attacks. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses "Information Exposure," and represents a specific instance where improper access control through caching mechanisms leads to unauthorized information disclosure. The flaw also maps to ATT&CK technique T1087.001, "Account Discovery: Local Account," as it enables unauthorized access to account-related information through system-level caching mechanisms rather than traditional authentication bypass techniques.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper cache invalidation mechanisms and ensuring that sensitive account information is not retained in system caches beyond its operational necessity. Android security patches should address the caching optimization logic by introducing proper validation checks and ensuring that service map generation properly respects access control boundaries. Organizations should implement immediate security updates and monitor for exploitation attempts, while system administrators should verify that affected devices have received the appropriate security patches. The fix typically involves modifying the RegisteredServicesCache.java implementation to ensure that cached service information properly respects account boundaries and access controls, preventing unauthorized access to sensitive metadata through the caching infrastructure.