CVE-2024-49735
📋 TL;DR
This Android vulnerability allows local privilege escalation without user interaction due to resource exhaustion preventing permission persistence. Attackers can gain elevated privileges on affected Android devices. All Android users with vulnerable versions are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Android
📦 What is this software?
Android by Google
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete device compromise allowing attacker to install malware, access sensitive data, or maintain persistence as root/system user.
Likely Case
Local attacker gains elevated privileges to access other apps' data, modify system settings, or install malicious packages.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper patch management and security controls in place.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires local access but no user interaction. Resource exhaustion must be triggered to exploit the permission persistence failure.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: January 2025 Android Security Patch or later
Vendor Advisory: https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2025-01-01
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Check for Android system updates in Settings > System > System update. 2. Install January 2025 security patch or later. 3. Verify patch installation in Settings > About phone > Android security patch level.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Limit local app installations
AndroidRestrict installation of untrusted apps to reduce attack surface
Enable 'Install unknown apps' restrictions in Settings > Apps > Special app access
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict app vetting and only install apps from trusted sources like Google Play Store
- Use mobile device management (MDM) solutions to enforce security policies and monitor for suspicious activity
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Android security patch level in Settings > About phone > Android security patch level. If earlier than January 2025, device is vulnerable.Check Version:
adb shell getprop ro.build.version.security_patchVerify Fix Applied:
Verify Android security patch level shows 'January 1, 2025' or later date in Settings > About phone > Android security patch level.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected permission changes in system logs
- Resource exhaustion events followed by permission modifications
- Suspicious app behavior attempting to modify system permissions
Network Indicators:
- Not applicable - local exploit only
SIEM Query:
source="android_system" AND (event_type="permission_change" OR event_type="resource_exhaustion")