CVE-2021-0680 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 10/06/2021
In system properties, there is a possible information disclosure due to a missing permission check. This could lead to local information disclosure with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android SoCAndroid ID: A-192535676
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/10/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-0680 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within Android system properties that stems from inadequate permission validation mechanisms. This weakness exists within the Android operating system's core framework where system properties are exposed without proper access controls, creating an avenue for unauthorized data extraction. The vulnerability specifically affects Android SoC implementations and is tracked under Android ID A-192535676, indicating its significance within the Android security ecosystem.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the absence of proper permission checks when accessing system properties within the Android framework. System properties in Android are designed to expose various device configuration parameters, runtime information, and potentially sensitive data about the device's state. When these properties are accessible without appropriate authentication or authorization mechanisms, malicious actors can retrieve information that should remain restricted to authorized system components or administrators. This flaw operates at the kernel or system-level interface where privilege separation should normally be enforced, but fails to implement necessary access controls.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-0680 is particularly concerning as it enables local information disclosure without requiring any additional execution privileges or user interaction. This means that any application running with standard user permissions can potentially extract sensitive system information that could be used for further exploitation or reconnaissance purposes. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector where attackers can gather device-specific data, configuration parameters, or other information that might reveal system architecture, software versions, or other details that could aid in crafting more sophisticated attacks. This local information disclosure capability aligns with CWE-200 (Information Exposure) and represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege.
The exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper access control implementation in system-level components. The lack of permission checks in system properties creates an information leak that can be leveraged for privilege escalation attempts or to build comprehensive profiles of target devices. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving information gathering and privilege escalation, as attackers can use the disclosed information to better understand the target environment. The vulnerability's classification as local information disclosure means that even applications with minimal privileges can access sensitive data, making it particularly dangerous in multi-tenant environments or when applications are granted broad permissions. The absence of user interaction requirements for exploitation makes this vulnerability especially concerning as it can be triggered automatically without any user involvement, potentially leading to automated reconnaissance or data collection campaigns.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-0680 should focus on implementing proper permission validation mechanisms within system property access controls. Device manufacturers and system integrators should ensure that all system properties are protected by appropriate access controls that align with the principle of least privilege. This includes implementing mandatory access controls, proper user and group permissions, and ensuring that sensitive information is only accessible to authorized system components. Regular security audits of system property interfaces should be conducted to identify and remediate similar access control weaknesses. The Android security team has addressed this vulnerability through system updates that enforce proper permission checks, requiring appropriate authorization before accessing sensitive system properties. Organizations should also implement monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized access attempts to system properties and maintain up-to-date security patches to protect against this and similar information disclosure vulnerabilities.