Multiple Vulnerabilities in Google Android OS Could Allow for Remote Code Execution – PATCH: NOW

OVERVIEW:
Multiple vulnerabilities have been discovered in Google Android OS, the most severe of which could allow for remote code execution. Android is an operating system developed by Google for mobile devices, including, but not limited to, smartphones, tablets, and watches. Successful exploitation of the most severe of these vulnerabilities could allow for remote code execution in the context of the logged on user. Depending on the privileges associated with the user an attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than those who operate with administrative user rights.

THREAT INTELLIGENCE:
There are currently no reports of these vulnerabilities being exploited in the wild.

SYSTEMS AFFECTED:

Android OS patch levels prior to 2024-12-05

RISK:

Government:

Large and medium government entities: High
Small government entities: Medium

Businesses:

Large and medium business entities: High
Small business entities: Medium

Home users: Low

TECHNICAL SUMMARY:
Multiple vulnerabilities have been discovered in Google Android OS, the most severe of which could allow for remote code execution in the context of the logged on user. Following the MITRE ATT&CK framework, exploitation of the most severe of these vulnerabilities can be classified as follows:

Tactic: Execution (TA0002)

Technique: Exploitation for Client Execution (T1203):

A vulnerability in System that could allow for remote code execution. (CVE-2024-43767)
Multiple vulnerabilities in Framework that could allow for elevation of privilege. (CVE-2024-43764, CVE-2024-43769)
Multiple vulnerabilities in System that could allow for elevation of privilege. (CVE-2024-43097, CVE-2024-43768)

Details of lower-severity vulnerabilities are as follows:

Multiple vulnerabilities in Imagination Technologies. (CVE-2024-43077, CVE-2024-43701)
A vulnerability in MediaTek components. (CVE-2024-20125)
A vulnerability in Qualcomm components. (CVE-2024-33063)
Multiple vulnerabilities in Qualcomm closed-source components. (CVE-2024-33044, CVE-2024-33056, CVE-2024-43048, CVE-2024-43052)

Successful exploitation of the most severe of these vulnerabilities could allow for remote code execution. Depending on the privileges associated with the exploited component, an attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full rights.

RECOMMENDATIONS:
We recommend the following actions be taken:

Apply appropriate patches provided by Google to vulnerable systems, immediately after appropriate testing. (M1051: Update Software)
- Safeguard 7.1: Establish and Maintain a Vulnerability Management Process: Establish and maintain a documented vulnerability management process for enterprise assets. Review and update documentation annually, or when significant enterprise changes occur that could impact this Safeguard.
- Safeguard 7.4: Perform Automated Application Patch Management: Perform application updates on enterprise assets through automated patch management on a monthly, or more frequent, basis.
- Safeguard 7.5: Perform Automated Vulnerability Scans of Internal Enterprise Assets: Perform automated vulnerability scans of internal enterprise assets on a quarterly, or more frequent, basis. Conduct both authenticated and unauthenticated scans, using a SCAP-compliant vulnerability scanning tool.
Remind users not to visit un-trusted websites or follow links provided by unknown or un-trusted sources. Inform and educate users regarding threats posed by hypertext links contained in emails or attachments, especially from un-trusted sources. (M1017: User Training)
Use capabilities to detect and block conditions that may lead to or be indicative of a software exploit occurring. (M1050: Exploit Protection)
- Safeguard 10.5: Enable Anti-Exploitation Features: Enable anti-exploitation features on enterprise assets and software, where possible, such as Apple® System Integrity Protection (SIP) and Gatekeeper™.
- Safeguard 13.10 : Perform Application Layer Filtering: Perform application layer filtering. Example implementations include a filtering proxy, application layer firewall, or gateway.

REFERENCES:

Google:
https://source.android.com/docs/security/bulletin/2024-12-01