CVE-2024-27207
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows malicious Android apps to bypass broadcast protection mechanisms by exploiting exported broadcast receivers. It affects Android devices, particularly Google Pixel phones, allowing unauthorized apps to intercept or send system broadcasts that should be restricted.
💻 Affected Systems
- Google Pixel phones
- Android devices with similar implementations
📦 What is this software?
Android by Google
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Malicious app gains unauthorized access to sensitive system broadcasts, potentially intercepting authentication tokens, personal data, or executing privileged operations without user consent.
Likely Case
Malicious apps bypass intended broadcast restrictions to access protected system events or data, compromising user privacy and app security boundaries.
If Mitigated
With proper app sandboxing and broadcast restrictions, impact is limited to apps with specific permissions, but the bypass still represents a security boundary violation.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires a malicious app to be installed on the target device; the vulnerability bypasses existing broadcast protection mechanisms.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: March 2024 Android security patch level
Vendor Advisory: https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/pixel/2024-03-01
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Check for system updates in Settings > System > System update. 2. Install the March 2024 Android security patch. 3. Restart the device after installation completes.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict app installations
androidOnly install apps from trusted sources like Google Play Store and disable unknown sources installation
Settings > Security > Install unknown apps > Disable for all apps
Review app permissions
androidRegularly audit installed apps and remove unnecessary or suspicious applications
Settings > Apps > [App Name] > Uninstall
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement mobile device management (MDM) policies to restrict app installations to approved sources only
- Deploy application allowlisting to prevent unauthorized apps from running on enterprise devices
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Android security patch level in Settings > About phone > Android version > Security patch levelCheck Version:
adb shell getprop ro.build.version.security_patchVerify Fix Applied:
Verify security patch level shows 'March 5, 2024' or later in Settings > About phone📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual broadcast receiver activity from untrusted apps
- Permission denial logs for broadcast operations that should be allowed
Network Indicators:
- Not applicable - local device vulnerability
SIEM Query:
Not applicable for typical SIEM monitoring of mobile devices