CVE-2018-14994 — HIGH (7.5)

Vulnerability Description

The Essential Phone Android device with a build fingerprint of essential/mata/mata:8.1.0/OPM1.180104.166/297:user/release-keys contains a pre-installed platform app with a package name of com.ts.android.hiddenmenu (versionName=1.0, platformBuildVersionName=8.1.0) that contains an exported activity app component named com.ts.android.hiddenmenu.rtn.RTNResetActivity that allows any app co-located on the device to programmatically initiate a factory reset. In addition, the app initiating the factory reset does not require any permissions. A factory reset will remove all user data and apps from the device. This will result in the loss of any data that have not been backed up or synced externally. The capability to perform a factory reset is not directly available to third-party apps (those that the user installs themselves with the exception of enabled Mobile Device Management (MDM) apps), although this capability can be obtained by leveraging an unprotected app component of a pre-installed platform app.

CVSS Score

7.5

HIGH

CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N

Attack Vector

NETWORK

Attack Complexity

LOW

Privileges Required

NONE

User Interaction

NONE

Scope

UNCHANGED

Confidentiality

NONE

Integrity

HIGH

Availability

NONE

Affected Products

Vendor	Product	Versions
Essential	Phone Firmware	-
Essential	Phone	-

Related Weaknesses (CWE)

CWE-20

References

https://www.kryptowire.comThird Party Advisory
https://www.kryptowire.com/portal/android-firmware-defcon-2018/ExploitThird Party Advisory
https://www.kryptowire.com/portal/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/DEFCON-26-Johnson-aThird Party Advisory
https://www.kryptowire.comThird Party Advisory
https://www.kryptowire.com/portal/android-firmware-defcon-2018/ExploitThird Party Advisory
https://www.kryptowire.com/portal/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/DEFCON-26-Johnson-aThird Party Advisory

FAQ

What is CVE-2018-14994?

CVE-2018-14994 is a vulnerability with a CVSS score of 7.5 (HIGH). The Essential Phone Android device with a build fingerprint of essential/mata/mata:8.1.0/OPM1.180104.166/297:user/release-keys contains a pre-installed platform app with a package name of com.ts.andro...

How severe is CVE-2018-14994?

CVE-2018-14994 has been rated HIGH with a CVSS base score of 7.5/10. Review the CVSS metrics above for detailed severity breakdown.

Is there a patch for CVE-2018-14994?

Check the references section above for vendor advisories and patch information. Affected products include: Essential Phone Firmware, Essential Phone.