CVE-2019-9384 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In LockPatternUtils, there is a possible escalation of privilege due to an improper permissions check. This could lead to local bypass of the Lockguard with System execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. Product: AndroidVersions: Android-10Android ID: A-120568007
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/13/2020
The vulnerability described in CVE-2019-9384 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within Android's LockPatternUtils component that undermines the fundamental security model of the operating system's lock screen protection mechanisms. This issue resides in the Android 10 operating system and affects the core lock screen guard functionality that is designed to prevent unauthorized access to device resources. The vulnerability stems from an improper permissions check implementation that allows malicious applications to bypass the established lock screen protection boundaries without requiring any user interaction, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited automatically by any application with sufficient privileges.
The technical flaw manifests in how LockPatternUtils validates permission checks when processing lock screen guard requests. Specifically, the component fails to properly verify the calling application's credentials and privileges before allowing access to system-level lock screen functionality. This improper validation creates a pathway for malicious actors to escalate their privileges from standard application level to system level execution capabilities, effectively circumventing the intended security boundaries that separate user applications from system services. The vulnerability operates at a low-level system interface where lock screen authentication mechanisms should enforce strict access controls, but instead allows unauthorized code execution through flawed permission verification logic.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as it enables attackers to gain system-level execution privileges that could allow them to modify critical system files, extract sensitive user data, install malicious applications, or even disable security features entirely. The absence of user interaction requirements makes this vulnerability particularly concerning for mobile environments where applications may run continuously in the background. Attackers could exploit this flaw to create persistent backdoors, monitor user activities, or manipulate device functionality without detection. The vulnerability essentially provides a direct pathway to bypass the entire lock screen security model, which is a fundamental component of mobile device security architecture.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues in software systems, and represents a classic example of privilege escalation through inadequate permission validation. From an att&ck framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques that allow adversaries to gain higher-level permissions within the operating system, specifically targeting the execution of malicious code with system-level privileges. The vulnerability demonstrates how flaws in core security components can create widespread impact across the entire device security ecosystem, making it a critical concern for device manufacturers, security researchers, and enterprise security teams. Mitigation efforts should focus on implementing proper permission validation mechanisms, updating to patched Android versions, and monitoring for suspicious system-level activities that may indicate exploitation attempts.