CVE-2021-39780 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 03/30/2022
In Traceur, there is a possible bypass of developer settings requirements for capturing system traces due to a missing permission check. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-12LAndroid ID: A-204992293
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/02/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-39780 resides within the Traceur component of Android 12L systems, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of developer settings protection mechanisms. This issue manifests as a missing permission check that allows unauthorized local users to bypass the standard requirements necessary for capturing system traces, effectively creating a pathway for privilege escalation without requiring any additional execution privileges. The vulnerability specifically affects Android 12L systems and was catalogued under Android ID A-204992293, highlighting its significance within the Android security framework.
The technical flaw stems from an insufficient validation mechanism within Traceur's permission architecture, where the system fails to properly verify whether an unprivileged user possesses the necessary authorization levels to access system trace capture functionalities. This oversight creates a direct attack vector that malicious actors can exploit through user interaction, typically involving the manipulation of system interfaces or the execution of specific sequences that trigger the vulnerable code path. The missing permission check represents a fundamental breakdown in the principle of least privilege, where system components should enforce strict access controls to prevent unauthorized operations.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables local privilege escalation attacks that can potentially allow attackers to gain elevated system privileges without requiring additional malicious code execution or complex exploitation techniques. The requirement for user interaction means that exploitation typically involves social engineering or physical access to the device, but once triggered, the vulnerability can provide attackers with elevated capabilities to access restricted system resources, modify critical system files, or extract sensitive information from the device. This poses significant risks to device security and user privacy, particularly in environments where physical access to devices cannot be guaranteed.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting vulnerabilities to gain elevated privileges. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of Android 12L, enforcing strict access controls on developer settings, and monitoring for unauthorized trace capture activities. System administrators should also consider implementing additional security measures such as enhanced user authentication requirements and regular security audits to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of comprehensive permission checking mechanisms and highlights the critical need for robust security validation within system-level components that handle sensitive operational functions.