CVE-2021-0649 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies
Learn about CVE-2021-0649, a vulnerability in Android 11 Vpn.java allowing VPN profile resets, leading to local privilege escalation to CONTROL_ALWAYS_ON_VPN without extra permissions.
Android 11 suffers from a vulnerability in stopVpnProfile of Vpn.java, allowing a potential VPN profile reset through a permissions bypass. This flaw could result in local privilege escalation to CONTROL_ALWAYS_ON_VPN without requiring further execution permissions.
Understanding CVE-2021-0649
This section delves into the details of the CVE-2021-0649 vulnerability in Android 11.
What is CVE-2021-0649?
The CVE-2021-0649 vulnerability in Android 11 lies in stopVpnProfile of Vpn.java, enabling a VPN profile reset due to a permissions bypass. Attackers could exploit this to achieve local privilege escalation without user interaction.
The Impact of CVE-2021-0649
The impact is significant as it allows threat actors to escalate privileges to CONTROL_ALWAYS_ON_VPN without needing additional execution privileges, posing a severe security risk.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-0649
This section outlines the technical aspects of the CVE-2021-0649 vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability in stopVpnProfile of Vpn.java permits malicious actors to reset VPN profiles, leading to potential local privilege escalation.
Affected Systems and Versions
The affected product is Android, specifically version Android-11, making devices running on this version vulnerable to exploitation.
Exploitation Mechanism
The flaw allows threat actors to bypass permissions in stopVpnProfile of Vpn.java, resetting VPN profiles and escalating privileges without user interaction.
Mitigation and Prevention
This section discusses steps to mitigate and prevent exploitation of CVE-2021-0649.
Immediate Steps to Take
Users should update to the latest Android 11 version and implement security best practices to reduce the risk of privilege escalation attacks.
Long-Term Security Practices
Maintaining up-to-date software, using secure VPN configurations, and following cybersecurity hygiene can help prevent future privilege escalation vulnerabilities.
Patching and Updates
Regularly installing security patches provided by Android for Android 11 devices can close known vulnerabilities and enhance system security.