CVE-2021-0681 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-192535337
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/10/2021
This vulnerability resides within Android's system properties implementation where a critical permission check is missing, creating a pathway for unauthorized information disclosure. The flaw exists in the core operating system components that manage system properties, which are essential for maintaining system integrity and security boundaries. When system properties are accessed without proper authorization checks, malicious actors can potentially extract sensitive configuration data, system identifiers, or other confidential information that should remain restricted to authorized processes. The vulnerability specifically affects Android SoC implementations and is tracked under Android ID A-192535337, indicating its severity and impact on the mobile platform's security architecture.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient access control mechanisms within the system properties subsystem. System properties in Android are designed to store and retrieve configuration values that control various aspects of the operating system behavior, including security parameters, device identifiers, and system settings. When a missing permission check allows unauthorized access to these properties, it creates a direct information disclosure channel that bypasses normal security boundaries. This type of vulnerability typically falls under CWE-284 which addresses improper access control, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1082 for system information discovery. The flaw represents a fundamental breakdown in the principle of least privilege, where processes can access system resources they should not be permitted to read.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables local information disclosure without requiring any additional execution privileges or user interaction for exploitation. This means that any process running on the device with basic permissions can potentially extract sensitive system information that could be used for further attacks or system understanding. Attackers could leverage this information to gain insights into the device's configuration, security settings, or other system properties that might reveal weaknesses in the overall security posture. The lack of user interaction requirement makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited automatically without any manual intervention from the attacker. The local nature of the disclosure means that the vulnerability can be exploited by malware or malicious applications already present on the device, potentially leading to more sophisticated attacks that build upon the initial information gathering phase.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper access controls and permission checks within the system properties subsystem. Android security updates should enforce strict authorization mechanisms that validate access requests before allowing retrieval of system properties. System administrators and device manufacturers should ensure that all system properties access points have appropriate permission validation, particularly for sensitive data. The fix typically involves adding proper permission checks that verify whether the requesting process has adequate authorization to access specific system properties. Regular security audits of system components should be conducted to identify similar missing permission checks that could create similar information disclosure vulnerabilities. Additionally, implementing monitoring and logging of system property access attempts can help detect potential exploitation attempts and provide forensic evidence for security investigations. Organizations should prioritize applying the relevant Android security patches as soon as they become available to remediate this vulnerability and prevent potential exploitation.