CVE-2021-0654 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 07/15/2021
In isRealSnapshot of TaskThumbnailView.java, there is possible data exposure due to a missing permission check. This could lead to local information disclosure from locked profiles with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android kernelAndroid ID: A-168802517References: N/A
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/18/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-0654 resides within the Android operating system's TaskThumbnailView.java component, specifically in the isRealSnapshot method implementation. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that allows unauthorized data exposure from locked profiles without requiring any additional execution privileges beyond normal user interaction. The vulnerability stems from a missing permission check that should have validated access rights before exposing sensitive snapshot data from the task thumbnail view functionality.
The technical implementation flaw occurs when the system fails to properly verify whether the requesting process has adequate permissions to access snapshot data from the task thumbnail view. This missing validation allows malicious actors or compromised applications to potentially extract sensitive information from locked profiles simply by interacting with the affected interface. The vulnerability operates at the Android kernel level, making it particularly concerning as it affects the core operating system functionality that manages application task snapshots and user profile access controls. The absence of proper access validation in the isRealSnapshot method creates a direct path for information disclosure attacks that bypass normal security boundaries.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables local information disclosure attacks that can expose sensitive user data stored in locked profiles. Attackers can exploit this weakness through simple user interaction, making it particularly dangerous as it requires minimal attack vectors and can be executed without elevated privileges. The vulnerability affects Android kernel implementations, which means it can potentially compromise the integrity of user data across multiple applications and system components that rely on task thumbnail functionality. This exposure could include personal information, application data, session details, and other sensitive metadata that users expect to remain protected when their profiles are locked.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and potentially aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 for privilege escalation through local information disclosure. The vulnerability represents a significant risk to user privacy and system integrity, as it allows unauthorized access to snapshot data that typically should remain protected within locked user profiles. Organizations should prioritize patching this vulnerability through Android security updates and implement additional monitoring for suspicious access patterns to task thumbnail data. The missing permission check creates a fundamental flaw in Android's access control model for task snapshot functionality, requiring immediate attention to prevent potential exploitation that could lead to broader system compromise through data exfiltration.