CVE-2021-0644 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2021-0644, impacts Android versions 10 and 11. The flaw resides in SubscriptionController.java, allowing unauthorized retrieval of trackable identifiers, leading to local information disclosure.

Understanding CVE-2021-0644

This section delves into the details of the CVE-2021-0644 vulnerability, its impact, technical aspects, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2021-0644?

The vulnerability in conditionallyRemoveIdentifiers of SubscriptionController.java in Android versions 10 and 11 enables the unauthorized retrieval of trackable identifiers without proper permission checks. This could result in local information disclosure.

The Impact of CVE-2021-0644

The vulnerability could potentially lead to local information disclosure, requiring user execution privileges for exploitation. Notably, user interaction is not necessary for an attacker to exploit this flaw.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-0644

This section focuses on the technical description of the CVE-2021-0644 vulnerability, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw allows threat actors to retrieve trackable identifiers without the required permission checks, leading to the potential disclosure of sensitive local information.

Affected Systems and Versions

Android versions 10 and 11 are affected by this vulnerability, putting devices running these OS versions at risk of local information disclosure.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting CVE-2021-0644 does not require user interaction. Threat actors with user execution privileges can leverage this vulnerability to access trackable identifiers without proper authorization.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines the steps that users and organizations can take to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-0644 and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to apply security patches provided by Android to address the vulnerability. Additionally, monitoring for any unusual activities that indicate exploitation is crucial.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing robust security practices, such as regular security updates, access controls, and user permissions management, can help reduce the likelihood of similar vulnerabilities being exploited in the future.

Patching and Updates

Regularly update Android devices to the latest firmware versions to ensure that security patches addressing CVE-2021-0644 are applied, thereby enhancing the overall security posture of the devices.