CVE-2019-1985 : What You Need to Know

Android has a vulnerability that allows local privilege escalation without additional execution privileges. The issue affects versions 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, and 8.0.

Understanding CVE-2019-1985

A potential method to bypass the warning dialog for untrusted spell checkers has been identified in Android, leading to an elevation of privilege.

What is CVE-2019-1985?

This vulnerability in Android's TextServicesManagerService.java allows local privilege escalation without needing extra execution privileges. Exploitation does not require user interaction.

The Impact of CVE-2019-1985

The vulnerability could result in a local privilege escalation, potentially allowing attackers to gain elevated privileges on the affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-1985

The following technical details provide insight into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The issue lies in findAvailSpellCheckerLocked of TextServicesManagerService.java, enabling a method to bypass the warning dialog for untrusted spell checkers.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Android
Versions: Android-7.0, Android-7.1.1, Android-7.1.2, Android-8.0

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to escalate privileges locally without requiring additional execution privileges.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-1985 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches promptly to address the vulnerability.
Monitor for any unusual activities on the affected systems.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch software to prevent known vulnerabilities.
Implement the principle of least privilege to restrict access rights.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security bulletins and updates from Android to apply relevant patches promptly.