CVE-2019-2200 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In updatePermissions of PermissionManagerService.java, it may be possible for a malicious app to obtain a custom permission from another app due to a permission bypass. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with User execution privileges needed. User interaction is needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-10Android ID: A-67319274
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/10/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-2200 resides within the Android operating system's permission management framework, specifically in the updatePermissions method of the PermissionManagerService.java component. This flaw represents a critical permission bypass vulnerability that allows malicious applications to circumvent the standard Android permission model and obtain custom permissions belonging to other applications. The vulnerability exists at the system level within the permission management service, making it particularly dangerous as it operates below the application layer where typical security controls would normally prevent such unauthorized access. The flaw specifically affects Android 10 and is tracked under Android ID A-67319274, indicating its classification within Google's internal vulnerability tracking system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation within the updatePermissions method, which fails to properly verify the authenticity and authorization scope of permission requests. When an application attempts to update or modify permissions, the system does not adequately authenticate whether the requesting application has legitimate grounds to access the target permission. This weakness creates a path where a malicious application can exploit the permission management service to grant itself unauthorized access to permissions that should be restricted to other applications. The flaw essentially allows for a form of privilege escalation where an application with standard user privileges can manipulate the permission system to gain elevated access rights, potentially enabling it to perform actions that would normally be restricted to system-level applications or other authorized entities.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-2200 extends beyond simple permission bypass, as it creates a pathway for local privilege escalation that can be leveraged by malicious applications to gain elevated system privileges. While the vulnerability requires user interaction for exploitation, once successfully exploited, it can enable attackers to access sensitive application data, perform unauthorized operations, and potentially compromise the entire device. The attack vector typically involves a malicious application that tricks the user into performing an action that triggers the permission bypass, after which the malicious app can access other applications' permissions and data. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and can be mapped to ATT&CK techniques such as privilege escalation and persistence mechanisms, as it allows attackers to gain elevated privileges through manipulation of the system's permission model.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-2200 focus primarily on the Android system updates and security patches released by Google to address the specific vulnerability in the PermissionManagerService. Users should ensure their Android devices are running the latest security patches, particularly those addressing the permission management service. System administrators should implement application whitelisting and monitoring to detect unauthorized permission changes, while developers should review their applications for potential exposure to this vulnerability through third-party libraries or components that might interact with the permission system. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation and access control mechanisms within system-level services, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security testing of permission management components. Organizations should consider implementing mobile device management solutions that can monitor for suspicious permission changes and enforce security policies that limit the ability of applications to manipulate system permissions.