CVE-2021-0600 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 07/15/2021
In onCreate of DeviceAdminAdd.java, there is a possible way to mislead a user to activate a device admin app due to improper input validation. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-8.1 Android-9 Android-10 Android-11Android ID: A-179042963
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/19/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-0600 resides within the DeviceAdminAdd.java component of Android operating systems spanning versions 8.1 through 11. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that exploits improper input validation mechanisms during the creation of device administrator applications. The vulnerability operates through a sophisticated user deception technique that can manipulate the Android system's device administration framework, creating a pathway for unauthorized privilege escalation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user inputs when processing device admin activation requests. Specifically, the onCreate method in DeviceAdminAdd.java fails to properly sanitize or verify the legitimacy of device admin registration parameters. This weakness creates an opportunity for malicious actors to craft deceptive user interfaces or manipulate system prompts that appear to be legitimate device administration requests while actually enabling unauthorized administrative privileges.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe threat to Android device security as it requires only user interaction to exploit, making it particularly dangerous in real-world scenarios. The attack vector involves tricking users into inadvertently granting administrative privileges to malicious applications through carefully crafted deceptive interfaces. Once exploited, the vulnerability enables local privilege escalation without requiring any additional execution privileges, effectively allowing attackers to gain elevated system access that would normally require explicit user consent for device administration.
The impact of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which addresses improper input validation, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation.' The vulnerability's exploitation path directly enables attackers to bypass normal Android security boundaries and gain device admin rights, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The affected Android versions including 8.1, 9, 10, and 11 represent a substantial user base that remains vulnerable to this attack vector, making the exploitation widespread across multiple Android generations.
Organizations and users should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched Android versions where available, conducting thorough security audits of device administration permissions, and implementing user education programs to recognize deceptive interface elements. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in security-sensitive components and highlights the need for robust user interface security measures that prevent social engineering attacks against device administration frameworks. Security professionals should monitor for indicators of compromise related to unauthorized device admin registrations and maintain awareness of potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability class.