CVE-2024-0041 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 02/16/2024
In removePersistentDot of SystemStatusAnimationSchedulerImpl.kt, there is a possible race condition due to a logic error in the code. This could lead to local escalation of privilege that fails to remove the persistent dot with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/16/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-0041 resides within the SystemStatusAnimationSchedulerImpl.kt implementation file, specifically in the removePersistentDot method where a race condition manifests due to a fundamental logic error. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that allows for local privilege escalation without requiring any additional execution privileges or user interaction for exploitation. The race condition occurs when multiple threads or processes attempt to access and modify the persistent dot state simultaneously, creating a window where the removal operation fails to properly execute. This vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-362, which specifically addresses race conditions in software implementations where concurrent access to shared resources can lead to unpredictable behavior and security breaches.
The technical flaw stems from improper synchronization mechanisms within the removePersistentDot function, where the code fails to adequately protect shared resources during the removal process. When the system attempts to eliminate the persistent dot indicator, the logic error creates a scenario where the operation may not complete successfully due to timing issues between concurrent access attempts. This race condition allows malicious actors to potentially maintain elevated privileges or access rights that should have been revoked, as the persistent dot removal mechanism fails to properly execute. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe because it operates entirely within the local system context, meaning attackers do not require network access or user interaction to exploit the flaw.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability extend beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can potentially compromise the integrity of system status indicators and create persistent security weaknesses. Attackers could exploit this condition to maintain unauthorized access to system resources or to manipulate the visual feedback mechanisms that users rely upon for system status information. The lack of user interaction requirements makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited automatically without any human involvement, potentially allowing for stealthy privilege escalation attacks that could go undetected for extended periods. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Local Privilege Escalation' through race conditions and timing attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-0041 should focus on implementing proper synchronization mechanisms within the affected codebase, including the use of mutex locks, semaphores, or other thread-safe approaches to ensure that the removePersistentDot method executes atomically. Developers should review all concurrent access points to the persistent dot state and implement appropriate locking mechanisms to prevent race conditions. Additionally, the code should be audited for similar patterns that might exist in other methods within the SystemStatusAnimationSchedulerImpl.kt file or related components. Security patches should include comprehensive testing to verify that the race condition has been properly resolved and that the persistent dot removal functionality operates correctly under concurrent access scenarios. System administrators should monitor for any unauthorized privilege escalation attempts that might indicate exploitation of this vulnerability, and implement regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar concurrency issues throughout the system.