CVE-2018-14991 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2018-14991 affecting Coolpad Defiant, ZTE ZMAX Pro, and T-Mobile Revvl Plus. Discover the impact, affected systems, exploitation, and mitigation steps.
The Coolpad Defiant, ZTE ZMAX Pro, and T-Mobile Revvl Plus devices are affected by a vulnerability in the pre-installed Rich Communication Services (RCS) app.
Understanding CVE-2018-14991
This CVE involves a security issue in the RCS app pre-installed on specific Android devices.
What is CVE-2018-14991?
The vulnerability allows any co-located app on the device to access, modify, and read the user's text messages through the exported content provider of the RCS app.
The Impact of CVE-2018-14991
The vulnerability poses a significant risk to user privacy as it enables unauthorized access to sensitive text messages.
Technical Details of CVE-2018-14991
The technical aspects of the vulnerability are as follows:
Vulnerability Description
- The vulnerable RCS app versions have exported content providers that allow unauthorized access to text messages.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Coolpad Defiant with build fingerprint Coolpad/cp3632a/cp3632a:7.1.1/NMF26F/099480857:user/release-keys
- ZTE ZMAX Pro with build fingerprint ZTE/P895T20/urd:6.0.1/MMB29M/20170418.114928:user/release-keys
- T-Mobile Revvl Plus with build fingerprint Coolpad/alchemy/alchemy:7.1.1/143.14.171129.3701A-TMO/buildf_nj_02-206:user/release-keys
Exploitation Mechanism
- The vulnerability is exploited by any co-located app on the device, even with zero permissions, to read, write, insert, and modify the user's text messages.
Mitigation and Prevention
Steps to address the CVE-2018-14991 vulnerability:
Immediate Steps to Take
- Regularly monitor for security updates and patches from the device manufacturers.
- Avoid downloading apps from untrusted sources to minimize the risk of exploitation.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Implement app permission restrictions to limit access to sensitive data.
- Educate users about the risks of granting unnecessary permissions to apps.
Patching and Updates
- Install security updates provided by the device manufacturers to address the vulnerability and enhance overall device security.