Android Framework Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability in Broadcast Receiver Registration

A vulnerability has been identified in the Android framework's broadcast controller, specifically in the way it handles the registration of broadcast receivers. The issue arises from inadequate input validation, which allows broadcasts intended for the 'android' package to be received by non-system user IDs. This flaw could lead to unauthorized elevation of privilege, as it enables a malicious application to gain access to restricted functionalities or data. Notably, this vulnerability does not require any additional execution privileges or user interaction for exploitation.

Impact

Exploitation of this vulnerability could result in unauthorized elevation of privileges, allowing a user to gain access to restricted areas of the system or application.

Reproduction

To reproduce this vulnerability, a broadcast receiver must be registered with a feature trace that allows it to receive broadcasts as if it were part of the 'android' package. This can be done by manipulating the registration process to bypass the normal restrictions that prevent non-system user IDs from accessing 'android' broadcasts. Once the receiver is registered in this manner, it can intercept and respond to broadcasts intended for the 'android' package, potentially leading to unauthorized access or actions.

Remediation

Users can update their devices to the May 2025 security patch level, which addresses this vulnerability.