CVE-2019-9295 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In com.android.apps.tag, there is a possible bypass of user interaction requirements due to a missing permission check. This could lead to a to local escalation of privilege with User execution privileges needed. User interaction is needed for exploitation. Product: AndroidVersions: Android-10Android ID: A-36885811
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-9295 affects the com.android.apps.tag component within Android 10 operating systems, representing a significant security flaw that could enable local privilege escalation. This issue stems from a missing permission check within the tag application framework, creating a pathway for malicious actors to bypass intended user interaction requirements that are typically necessary for certain system operations. The vulnerability specifically targets the Android tag application which handles near-field communication and other tagging functionalities, making it a critical component in the device's security architecture.
The technical flaw manifests as an insufficient permission validation mechanism within the tag application's code execution flow. When users interact with tag-related functionalities, the system should normally require explicit user confirmation before executing privileged operations. However, due to the missing permission check, the application fails to properly validate whether the executing user has appropriate authorization levels to perform certain actions. This weakness allows an attacker with user-level execution privileges to potentially escalate their access rights to system-level privileges without the required user interaction. The vulnerability operates under the principle that proper access controls should be enforced at all levels of application execution, a fundamental requirement that is violated in this case.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses a serious threat to Android device security as it requires only user execution privileges to exploit, meaning that any application running with standard user permissions could potentially leverage this flaw. The need for user interaction during exploitation indicates that while the attack cannot be fully automated, it can be initiated through social engineering or pre-installed malicious applications. The local escalation of privilege capability means that once exploited, an attacker could gain access to sensitive system functions, potentially leading to data theft, system modification, or complete device compromise. This vulnerability directly impacts the Android security model's integrity and could enable more sophisticated attacks that build upon this initial privilege escalation.
The impact of CVE-2019-9295 aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues in software systems, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege that should govern all system operations. This vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation', demonstrating how the missing permission checks create opportunities for attackers to gain elevated system privileges. The flaw represents a critical gap in Android's permission model implementation, where the tag application component fails to properly enforce access controls that should prevent unauthorized privilege escalation. Security researchers have classified this as a local privilege escalation vulnerability because it allows an attacker to execute code with higher privileges than initially granted, typically requiring system-level access to perform more dangerous operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper permission validation checks within the tag application framework. Android developers and security teams should ensure that all system operations requiring elevated privileges properly verify user permissions before execution. The recommended approach includes implementing comprehensive access control mechanisms that validate user authorization levels and enforce proper privilege boundaries. Device manufacturers should prioritize applying security patches that address the missing permission checks in the tag application component. Additionally, users should be advised to keep their devices updated with the latest security patches and avoid installing untrusted applications that might exploit this vulnerability. The fix should involve modifying the application's code to include explicit permission verification before executing any operations that could lead to privilege escalation, ensuring that all user interactions are properly validated according to Android's security guidelines and best practices.