CVE-2019-17191 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Signal Private Messenger app for Android versions prior to 4.47.7 allowed a caller to initiate a call without the recipient's consent, potentially leading to eavesdropping.

Understanding CVE-2019-17191

In versions before 4.47.7, a vulnerability in the Signal Private Messenger app for Android allowed unauthorized call initiation.

What is CVE-2019-17191?

The vulnerability enabled a caller to force a call to be answered without the recipient's interaction, potentially opening the audio channel for eavesdropping.

The Impact of CVE-2019-17191

Call initiation without recipient consent
Risk of eavesdropping due to the audio channel opening before the recipient could prevent it

Technical Details of CVE-2019-17191

The following technical details provide insight into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in Signal Private Messenger app allowed a caller to connect a call without the recipient's consent, risking eavesdropping.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Signal Private Messenger app for Android
Versions: Prior to 4.47.7

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability was exploited by sending a connect message to initiate a call without the recipient's approval.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your system from CVE-2019-17191 with these mitigation strategies.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Signal Private Messenger app to version 4.47.7 or later
Be cautious of incoming calls from unknown sources

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update all applications on your device
Use secure communication apps with strong privacy features

Patching and Updates

Install patches and updates provided by Signal to address the vulnerability