CVE-2019-9351 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In SyncStatusObserver, there is a possible bypass for operating system protections that isolate user profiles from each other due to a missing permission check. This could lead to local limited information disclosure with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. Product: AndroidVersions: Android-10Android ID: A-128599864
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-9351 resides within the SyncStatusObserver component of Android operating systems, specifically affecting Android 10 and related versions. This flaw represents a critical weakness in the operating system's security model that undermines the fundamental principle of user profile isolation. The vulnerability stems from an insufficient permission check mechanism that allows unauthorized access to sensitive information across user profiles, effectively creating a bypass for core operating system protections designed to maintain separation between different user contexts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the SyncStatusObserver framework where proper authorization checks are omitted during critical operations. This missing permission verification creates an attack vector that enables malicious actors to access information that should remain isolated between user profiles. The flaw operates at the system level where synchronization status information is exposed without adequate access controls, allowing for information disclosure between different user contexts. This represents a violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates a failure in the Android security architecture's compartmentalization mechanisms.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables local information disclosure attacks that can potentially expose sensitive data from other user profiles on the same device. While the attack does not require additional execution privileges or user interaction, the implications are significant as it allows for cross-profile data access without the need for physical access or complex exploitation techniques. The vulnerability affects the core security model of Android devices where multiple user profiles are expected to maintain complete isolation from each other, making this a particularly concerning flaw for multi-user environments.
The impact of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 which addresses improper access control issues in software systems. The flaw demonstrates a clear failure in implementing proper access control mechanisms within the Android operating system's synchronization framework. Additionally, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1074 which covers data staging and collection activities, as attackers can gather information from other user profiles without requiring elevated privileges. The lack of user interaction requirements makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited automatically without any user awareness or consent.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper permission checks within the SyncStatusObserver component and ensuring that all synchronization operations enforce appropriate access controls. Android security updates should address this by strengthening the authorization mechanisms and ensuring that user profile isolation is maintained across all system components. Device manufacturers and security teams should prioritize patching this vulnerability as it represents a fundamental breakdown in the operating system's security model that could potentially enable more sophisticated attacks if exploited in combination with other vulnerabilities. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of user profile isolation mechanisms to ensure that proper access controls are maintained between different user contexts.