CVE-2021-25412 in Smart Phone
Summary
by MITRE • 06/11/2021
An improper access control vulnerability in genericssoservice prior to SMR JUN-2021 Release 1 allows local attackers to execute protected activity with system privilege via untrusted applications.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/14/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-25412 represents a critical access control flaw within the genericssoservice component of a mobile operating system platform. This issue affects versions prior to the SMR JUN-2021 Release 1, indicating it was present in a substantial portion of devices within the affected ecosystem. The vulnerability stems from inadequate privilege validation mechanisms that allow local attackers to escalate their privileges and execute protected system activities. The flaw specifically impacts the authentication and authorization processes within the service, creating a pathway for malicious applications to bypass normal security boundaries and gain elevated system privileges. This represents a fundamental breakdown in the principle of least privilege that is essential for maintaining system integrity and security.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a failure in the access control validation logic within genericssoservice, which typically handles single sign-on functionality and related authentication services. Attackers can exploit this weakness by leveraging untrusted applications that are installed on the device to gain unauthorized access to protected system resources. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the system level, allowing attackers to execute privileged operations that should normally be restricted to trusted system components. The flaw essentially creates a backdoor within the legitimate system service that can be exploited by any application with sufficient local access, making it a significant threat vector for privilege escalation attacks. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 which specifically addresses improper access control and falls under the ATT&CK technique T1068 for bypassing system protections.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-25412 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential full system compromise and data exfiltration capabilities. Local attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can execute malicious code with system-level privileges, potentially leading to complete device compromise, persistent backdoors, and unauthorized access to sensitive user data. The affected service's role in handling authentication and single sign-on operations means that successful exploitation could provide attackers with access to credentials and session information for various applications and services. This vulnerability undermines the fundamental security model of the platform, as it allows untrusted applications to perform actions that should be restricted to trusted system components. The impact is particularly severe because it requires minimal user interaction and can be exploited through routine application installation processes, making it a stealthy and persistent threat vector.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-25412 primarily focus on applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates released as part of the SMR JUN-2021 Release 1. Organizations and users should prioritize immediate deployment of these updates to address the underlying access control flaw. System administrators should also implement additional monitoring for suspicious privilege escalation activities and unauthorized access attempts to system services. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and demonstrates how seemingly minor access control flaws can lead to significant system compromise. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any devices running affected versions and implement remediation procedures. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting policies and restricting application installation capabilities can provide additional defense-in-depth measures against exploitation of this and similar vulnerabilities. The remediation process should also include verification that the patched service properly enforces access controls and that privilege escalation attempts are appropriately rejected.