CVE-2021-1014 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This CVE-2021-1014 article provides detailed information about the vulnerability in Android-12 that allows determining app installation status without query permissions, leading to local information disclosure.

Understanding CVE-2021-1014

This section delves into the specifics of CVE-2021-1014, highlighting the impact and technical details of the vulnerability.

What is CVE-2021-1014?

The vulnerability in Android-12, tracked under CVE-2021-1014, enables apps to ascertain installation status without explicit permissions, resulting in potential local information disclosure.

The Impact of CVE-2021-1014

CVE-2021-1014 poses a risk of local information exposure without requiring additional execution privileges, potentially leading to confidentiality breaches.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-1014

This section explores the technical aspects, affected systems, and exploitation mechanisms related to CVE-2021-1014.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability lies in getNetworkTypeForSubscriber of PhoneInterfaceManager.java in Android-12, allowing apps to determine installation status sans proper permissions, leading to local information exposure.

Affected Systems and Versions

The impacted system is Android-12, specifically vulnerable in the getNetworkTypeForSubscriber function within PhoneInterfaceManager.java.

Exploitation Mechanism

By leveraging side-channel information disclosure, threat actors can exploit this vulnerability to learn app installation status without needing user interaction.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines the immediate steps and long-term practices to enhance security and mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-1014.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to monitor official security bulletins, apply patches promptly, and exercise caution while granting app permissions or interacting with unknown sources.

Long-Term Security Practices

In the long run, users should maintain up-to-date software, follow secure coding practices, and regularly review and adjust app permissions to minimize information exposure risks.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for security updates from official sources, install patches as soon as they are released, and prioritize security configurations to safeguard against exploitation of known vulnerabilities.