CVE-2024-0053 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 03/11/2024
In getCustomPrinterIcon of PrintManagerService.java, there is a possible way to view other user's images due to a confused deputy. This could lead to local information disclosure with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/28/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-0053 resides within the PrintManagerService.java component of an Android system, specifically in the getCustomPrinterIcon method where a confused deputy problem exists. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that allows unauthorized access to sensitive user data through improper privilege handling. The confused deputy vulnerability occurs when a system component incorrectly interprets or processes requests from untrusted sources, leading to privilege escalation or data exposure. This particular issue manifests as a potential information disclosure mechanism that enables one user to access another user's printer icon images without requiring any additional execution privileges or user interaction.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation and authorization checks within the print management service. When the system processes requests for custom printer icons, it fails to properly verify the identity of requesting users or validate the context of the request. This confusion in trust boundaries creates an opportunity for malicious actors to exploit the service and access data that should remain private to specific user contexts. The vulnerability specifically affects the PrintManagerService which is responsible for managing printer configurations and associated user interface elements including custom icons that represent different printing devices.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to user privacy and system integrity. The local information disclosure threat means that attackers can access printer-related metadata and visual elements belonging to other users on the same device. This type of information disclosure can potentially reveal sensitive details about user printing preferences, device configurations, or even provide indirect clues about user activities and system usage patterns. The attack vector requires no user interaction, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited automatically without any user awareness or consent. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege.
The exploitation of CVE-2024-0053 falls under the ATT&CK framework category of T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and potentially T1074 (Data Staged) as attackers can systematically access and gather user-specific printer icon data. The attack surface is limited to local system access within the Android environment, but the impact extends to privacy violations and potential data correlation attacks that could reveal user behavior patterns. Organizations and users should be particularly concerned about this vulnerability in multi-user environments where multiple individuals share the same device or system. The lack of required user interaction makes this vulnerability particularly concerning for automated exploitation scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper access control mechanisms within the PrintManagerService. System administrators should ensure that all print service components properly validate user identities and enforce strict context boundaries when processing requests for custom icons. The fix should involve adding comprehensive authorization checks before allowing access to user-specific printer icon data, ensuring that each request is properly authenticated and authorized. Additionally, implementing proper privilege separation and using secure coding practices to prevent confused deputy scenarios should be prioritized. Regular security updates and patches should be applied immediately upon availability, as this vulnerability represents a clear risk to user privacy and system security. The solution should also include monitoring and logging mechanisms to detect unauthorized access attempts to printer icon resources, which can help identify potential exploitation attempts and provide forensic evidence for security investigations.