CVE-2024-37573 in com.talkatone.android
Summary
by MITRE • 10/30/2024
The Talkatone com.talkatone.android application 8.4.6 for Android enables any installed application (with no permissions) to place phone calls without user interaction by sending a crafted intent via the com.talkatone.vedroid.ui.launcher.OutgoingCallInterceptor component.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/30/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-37573 resides within the Talkatone com.talkatone.android application version 8.4.6 for Android operating systems. This security flaw represents a critical privilege escalation issue that allows any installed application to execute phone calls without user consent or interaction. The vulnerability specifically affects the com.talkatone.vedroid.ui.launcher.OutgoingCallInterceptor component which serves as an entry point for unauthorized call initiation. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation and inadequate permission controls within the application's intent handling mechanism, creating an attack vector that bypasses normal user authorization requirements.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's improper handling of Android intents, particularly those related to outgoing call functionality. The OutgoingCallInterceptor component fails to properly validate incoming intents before executing call operations, allowing malicious applications to craft and send specific intent payloads that trigger call initiation. This represents a fundamental flaw in the application's security architecture where the component operates with insufficient access controls and lacks proper authentication mechanisms to verify the legitimacy of intent sources. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 Access Control Issues, specifically manifesting as improper access control in Android application components that should require explicit user consent or permission validation.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant security implications for affected users. Any application installed on the device can potentially abuse this flaw to place unauthorized phone calls, which could lead to financial losses through premium rate number dialing, privacy violations through call interception, or social engineering attacks. The attack requires no special permissions from the malicious application, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by any app that has basic installation privileges. This vulnerability essentially transforms any installed application into a potential carrier for unauthorized calling operations, undermining the fundamental security model of Android's permission system. The impact extends beyond individual user privacy to potential corporate security concerns where unauthorized calls could compromise business operations or lead to fraudulent activities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate application-level fixes and user awareness measures. Application developers must implement proper intent validation and authentication mechanisms within the OutgoingCallInterceptor component, ensuring that only legitimate application components can trigger call operations. The fix should include mandatory permission checks, source verification, and explicit user consent prompts before any call initiation occurs. From a defensive standpoint, users should avoid installing untrusted applications and regularly review their installed apps for suspicious behavior. Security researchers and organizations should monitor for exploitation attempts and consider implementing network-based detection mechanisms that can identify unauthorized call initiation patterns. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper component declaration in Android manifest files and the necessity of following secure coding practices that prevent unauthorized access to sensitive functionality through inter-process communication mechanisms. The issue demonstrates the critical need for comprehensive security testing of Android applications, particularly those handling sensitive operations like phone call functionality, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter where malicious applications leverage legitimate system interfaces for unauthorized operations.