CVE-2018-14992 Missing authorization in n/a

Medium 5.5 Published 28 Dec 2018 Updated 5 Aug 2024

An exported service in a pre-installed ASUS app allows any local app to download and install arbitrary software, enabling code execution and privilege escalation.

Exploited in the wild: Not known
Login needed: Any signed-in user
Attackable: Local or same network only
Victim action needed: Not needed
Fix: None listed

What is CVE-2018-14992?

CVE-2018-14992 is a medium-severity missing authorization vulnerability in n/a, published on 28 Dec 2018. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.

Official description

The ASUS ZenFone 3 Max Android device with a build fingerprint of asus/US_Phone/ASUS_X008_1:7.0/NRD90M/US_Phone-14.14.1711.92-20171208:user/release-keys contains a pre-installed platform app with a package name of com.asus.dm (versionCode=1510500200, versionName=1.5.0.40_171122) has an exposed interface in an exported service named com.asus.dm.installer.DMInstallerService that allows any app co-located on the device to use its capabilities to download an arbitrary app over the internet and install it. Any app on the device can send an intent with specific embedded data that will cause the com.asus.dm app to programmatically download and install the app. For the app to be downloaded and installed, certain data needs to be provided: download URL, package name, version name from the app's AndroidManifest.xml file, and the MD5 hash of the app. Moreover, any app that is installed using this method can also be programmatically uninstalled using the same unprotected component named com.asus.dm.installer.DMInstallerService.

Which versions are affected by CVE-2018-14992?

It affects 1 product.

Products include Asus Zenfone 3 Max Firmware.

How do I fix CVE-2018-14992?

No fix has been published for CVE-2018-14992 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

Upgrade, and check permissions on every request on the server, not only in the interface. More about Missing authorization.

Is CVE-2018-14992 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2018-14992 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Sources

Also known as GHSA-cp3m-3jjq-r3cg.