CVE-2021-39662 is a high-severity vulnerability identified in the Google Android operating system, specifically impacting versions 11 and 12. This vulnerability allows unauthorized access to media provider collections due to a missing permission check in the checkUriPermission function of MediaProvider.java. The security flaw can lead to local privilege escalation, requiring only user execution privileges for exploitation. Notably, user interaction is not required, making it easier for attackers to exploit this vulnerability.
With a CVSS score of 7.8, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to organizations using affected Android versions. The potential impacts include breaches of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of sensitive media content. As a result, organizations must take prompt action to address this vulnerability to safeguard their systems.
Currently, there is no known exploit for this vulnerability, but its presence in the wild necessitates a proactive response. Organizations should prioritize patching affected systems to mitigate the risk posed by this vulnerability. Given its high severity, organizations need to include this in their immediate patching cycle.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately.
Vulnerability Details
The official CVE description states that in checkUriPermission of MediaProvider.java, there is a possible way to gain access to the content of media provider collections due to a missing permission check. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with user execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.
The CVSS score for CVE-2021-39662 is 7.8, categorized as high severity. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-862, indicating a failure to enforce proper access controls.
Affected products include Google Android versions 11 and 12. The vulnerability was published on February 11, 2022.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability stems from a missing permission check in the checkUriPermission function within the MediaProvider.java file. Attackers may leverage this flaw to access sensitive media files without proper authorization.
The attack vector is local, meaning an attacker must have access to the device to exploit this vulnerability. The attack complexity is low, as it does not require significant technical skill or effort. The privileges required for exploitation are also low, as only user execution privileges are needed. No user interaction is required for successful exploitation.
The impact of this vulnerability is severe, affecting confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive media content stored on the device.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world deployment risk associated with CVE-2021-39662 is significant. Organizations running affected versions of Google Android face potential data breaches due to unauthorized access to media provider collections.
This vulnerability matters to organizations as it could lead to severe consequences, including loss of sensitive information and reputational damage. The blast radius potential is considerable, as any device running the affected Android versions is at risk.
Organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle, given its high severity. The urgency is underscored by the potential for exploitation in local environments, where unauthorized access could occur without user awareness.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The specific versions affected by CVE-2021-39662 include Google Android 11 (11.0) and Google Android 12 (12.0). All versions prior to the vendor patch are affected.
Mitigation & Remediation
To mitigate this vulnerability, organizations should apply the latest patches provided by Google for Android 11 and 12. Details regarding the patches can be found in the vendor advisory. Organizations should ensure that they upgrade to the latest version available to prevent exploitation.
Additionally, organizations may consider implementing configuration hardening to limit access to sensitive media files. This includes restricting access to media provider collections and monitoring systems for unusual access patterns.
For further guidance on penetration testing, organizations can refer to the following resource: penetration testing services to validate security measures.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for indicators of unauthorized access attempts to media provider collections. Behavioral anomalies, such as unexpected access patterns or increased access requests from single user accounts, should be flagged for further investigation.
Network signatures may also be useful to detect exploitation attempts. Organizations should implement intrusion detection systems (IDS) to capture and analyze traffic patterns that may indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2021-39662 represents a critical vulnerability due to its potential for severe impacts on organizations using affected Android versions. The lack of user interaction required for exploitation means that attackers could access sensitive media content without detection.
This vulnerability highlights the importance of implementing robust permission checks within applications to prevent similar security flaws. Security teams should conduct thorough assessments of their systems and ensure that proper access controls are enforced.
Organizations can benefit from reviewing their security posture and may find value in resources related to penetration testing methodology and vulnerability management programs to enhance their security frameworks.
Engaging in regular security assessments, such as continuous penetration testing, can significantly reduce the risk associated with vulnerabilities like CVE-2021-39662.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
.webp)