CVE-2021-25349 in Slow Motion Editor
Summary
by MITRE • 03/25/2021
Using unsafe PendingIntent in Slow Motion Editor prior to version 3.5.18.5 allows local attackers unauthorized action without permission via hijacking the PendingIntent.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/05/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-25349 represents a critical security flaw in the Slow Motion Editor application prior to version 3.5.18.5, specifically concerning the improper handling of PendingIntent objects within the Android framework. This issue falls under the broader category of insecure inter-process communication vulnerabilities and directly relates to CWE-377, which addresses insecure handling of potentially dangerous objects. The flaw manifests when the application creates PendingIntent objects without implementing proper security measures such as the FLAG_IMMUTABLE flag, creating opportunities for malicious local actors to manipulate these objects and execute unauthorized actions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the Android permission model by leveraging the unsafe creation of PendingIntent objects that can be intercepted and modified by malicious applications running on the same device. When an application creates a PendingIntent with mutable flags, it allows other applications to modify the intent's action, data, and extras, effectively enabling privilege escalation attacks. This particular flaw demonstrates a failure in proper intent security practices where the application fails to validate or secure the PendingIntent objects it creates, creating a vector for local privilege escalation and unauthorized access to system resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized actions, as it enables attackers to perform potentially destructive operations within the application's context. Local attackers can hijack the PendingIntent to launch malicious intents that may result in data exfiltration, unauthorized system modifications, or even privilege escalation to higher-level system functions. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it requires no special permissions beyond what is already granted to applications on the device, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to exploit the application's functionality without requiring elevated privileges. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting legitimate credentials and privileges to gain system access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must focus on implementing proper PendingIntent security practices as recommended by Android security guidelines and align with the principles outlined in the Android Security Model. Applications should always create PendingIntent objects with the FLAG_IMMUTABLE flag when appropriate, ensuring that the intent cannot be modified by external applications. Additionally, developers should implement proper permission checking and validation of incoming intents to prevent unauthorized access. The fix requires updating the application to version 3.5.18.5 or later, which implements proper PendingIntent handling and includes security patches addressing the mutable flag vulnerability. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security reviews of their Android applications to identify similar patterns and ensure compliance with secure coding practices that prevent such vulnerabilities from occurring in other components of their software portfolio.