CVE-2024-49742
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows a malicious app to hide its notification access permission in Android Settings, preventing users from revoking it. Attackers could escalate privileges locally without needing additional permissions. Only affects Android devices with vulnerable versions.
💻 Affected Systems
- Android
📦 What is this software?
Android by Google
Android by Google
Android by Google
Android by Google
Android by Google
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Malicious app gains persistent notification access, enabling surveillance, data exfiltration, and privilege escalation while remaining hidden from user controls.
Likely Case
Malware hides notification access to maintain persistence and avoid detection while stealing sensitive notification content.
If Mitigated
With proper app vetting and security controls, risk is limited to targeted attacks requiring user interaction.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires user to install malicious app and grant notification access; no public exploit details available.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Android security patch level January 2025 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2025-01-01
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Check Android security patch level in Settings > About phone > Android version. 2. Install January 2025 or later security update via Settings > System > System update. 3. Verify patch is applied.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable notification access for untrusted apps
AndroidManually review and disable notification access for suspicious apps in Settings
Settings > Apps & notifications > Special app access > Notification access
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict installation of apps from unknown sources in device settings
- Regularly audit notification access permissions and revoke for unused/untrusted apps
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if Android security patch level is earlier than January 2025 in Settings > About phone > Android versionCheck Version:
Settings > About phone > Android version > Security patch levelVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm security patch level shows January 2025 or later in device settings📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected notification access permission grants
- Apps hiding notification access settings
Network Indicators:
- Unusual network traffic from apps with notification access
SIEM Query:
App install events followed by notification permission grants without user awareness