CVE-2018-14986 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability in the Leagoo Z5C Android device allows unauthorized access to text messages, phone numbers, and contact names.

Understanding CVE-2018-14986

This CVE identifies a security flaw in the Leagoo Z5C Android device that enables unauthorized access to text messages.

What is CVE-2018-14986?

The Leagoo Z5C Android device contains a pre-installed app with an exported content provider that allows any app on the device to access the most recent text messages from each conversation.

The Impact of CVE-2018-14986

The vulnerability enables a malicious app to retrieve text message content, phone numbers, contact names, and timestamps without requiring any permissions.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-14986

This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The Leagoo Z5C Android device's pre-installed app, com.android.messaging, exposes a content provider that can be accessed by any app on the device, allowing unauthorized retrieval of text messages.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Leagoo Z5C Android device
Vendor: N/A
Versions: N/A

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerable content provider, com.android.messaging.datamodel.MessagingContentProvider, can be queried silently in the background, enabling continuous monitoring for new text messages.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting against CVE-2018-14986 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Avoid installing apps from untrusted sources.
Regularly monitor app permissions on the device.
Consider using messaging apps with enhanced security features.

Long-Term Security Practices

Keep the device's operating system and apps up to date.
Implement app sandboxing to restrict app access to sensitive data.

Patching and Updates

Check for security updates from the device manufacturer.
Apply patches promptly to address known vulnerabilities.