# MA-715.022019: MyCERT Alert - Android February 2019 Security Update

**Date:** 08 Feb 2019  
**Source:** https://www.mycert.org.my/portal/advisory?id=MA-715.022019  
**Advisory ID:** MA-715.022019

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**1.0 Introduction**
Google through Android Security Bulletin had published several security vulnerabilities affecting Android phone. 42 vulnerability has been reported:
1. Three (3) remote code execution (RCE) bugs in framework components
|  |  | --- | --- | --- | --- | **No** | **CVE** | **Bug Type** | **Severity** | 1 | CVE-2019-1986 | RCE | Critical | 2 | CVE-2019-1987 | RCE | Critical | 3 | CVE-2019-1988 | RCE | Critical |
\*RCE – Remote Code Execution
2. Four (4) flaws in library components
|  |  | --- | --- | --- | --- | **No.** | **CVE** | **Bug Type** | **Severity** | 1 | CVE-2017-17760 | RCE | High | 2 | CVE-2018-5268 | RCE | High | 3 | CVE-2018-5269 | RCE | High | 4 | CVE-2017-18009 | ID | Moderate |
\*RCE – Remote Code Execution
\*\*ID – Information Disclosure
3. Eight (8) flaws in system components
|  |  | --- | --- | --- | --- | **No.** | **CVE** | **Bug Type** | **Severity** | 1 | CVE-2019-1991 | RCE | Critical | 2 | CVE-2019-1992 | RCE | Critical | 3 | CVE-2019-1993 | EoP | High | 4 | CVE-2019-1994 | EoP | High | 5 | CVE-2019-1995 | ID | High | 6 | CVE-2019-1996 | ID | High | 7 | CVE-2019-1997 | ID | High | 8 | CVE-2019-1998 | DoS | High |
\*RCE – Remote Code Execution
\*\*EoP - Elevation of privilege
\*\*\*ID – Information Disclosure
\*\*\*\*DoS - Denial of Service
4. Four (4) flaws in Linux kernel components
|  |  | --- | --- | --- | --- | **No.** | **CVE** | **Bug Type** | **Severity** | 1 | CVE-2018-10879 | EoP | High | 2 | CVE-2019-1999 | EoP | High | 3 | CVE-2019-2000 | EoP | High | 4 | CVE-2019-2001 | ID | High |
\*EoP - Elevation of privilege
\*\*ID – Information Disclosure
5. Four (4) bugs in Nvidia’s driver components
|  |  | --- | --- | --- | --- | **No.** | **CVE** | **Bug Type** | **Severity** | 1 | CVE-2018-6271 | RCE | Critical | 2 | CVE-2018-6267 | EoP | High | 3 | CVE-2018-6268 | EoP | High | 4 | CVE-2016-6684 | ID | High |
\*RCE – Remote Code Execution
\*\*EoP - Elevation of privilege
\*\*\*ID – Information Disclosure
6. Nineteen (19) bugs in Qualcomm’s driver components
|  |  | --- | --- | --- | --- | **No.** | **CVE** | **Bug Type** | **Severity** | 1 | CVE-2018-11262 | N/A | Critical | 2 | CVE-2018-11280 | N/A | High | 3 | CVE-2018-11275 | N/A | High | 4 | CVE-2018-13900 | N/A | High | 5 | CVE-2018-13905 | N/A | High | 6 | CVE-2018-11289 | N/A | Critical | 7 | CVE-2018-11820 | N/A | Critical | 8 | CVE-2018-11938 | N/A | Critical | 9 | CVE-2018-11945 | N/A | Critical | 10 | CVE-2018-11268 | N/A | High | 11 | CVE-2018-11845 | N/A | High | 12 | CVE-2018-11864 | N/A | High | 13 | CVE-2018-11921 | N/A | High | 14 | CVE-2018-11931 | N/A | High | 15 | CVE-2018-11932 | N/A | High | 16 | CVE-2018-11935 | N/A | High | 17 | CVE-2018-11948 | N/A | High | 18 | CVE-2018-5839 | N/A | High | 19 | CVE-2018-13904 | N/A | High |
\*N/A - Not Available
The most critical vulnerabilities are in framework components and library components where remote attacker can craft a PNG file with arbitrary code and able to achieve privilege escalation.
**2.0 Impact**
- For reported vulnerabilities in framework components, as Google says, “the most severe of these issues is a critical security vulnerability in Framework that could allow a remote attacker using a specially crafted PNG file to execute arbitrary code within the context of a privileged process.” This affect millions of devices running versions of the Android operating system from Android 7.0 Nougat to the latest Android 9.0 Pie. By tricking a user into viewing a boobytrapped PNG image sent via email or messaging apps, the attacker can utilise this vulnerabilities and potentially hack android phones and grant access remotely.
- For reported vulnerabilities in library components, it could enable a remote attacker using a specially crafted file to execute arbitrary code within the context of an unprivileged process.
- For reported vulnerabilities in system components, it could enable a remote attacker using a specially crafted transmission to execute arbitrary code within the context of a privileged process.
- For reported vulnerabilities in Linux kernel components, it could enable a local malicious application to execute arbitrary code within the context of a privileged process.
- For reported vulnerabilities in Nvidia driver components, it could enable a remote attacker using a specially crafted file to execute arbitrary code within the context of a privileged process.
- For reported vulnerabilities in Qualcomm’s driver components, these vulnerabilities are described in further detail in the appropriate Qualcomm security bulletin or security alert.
**3.0 Affected System and Devices**
Android phone:
- Version from 7.0 up to 9.0
- Android 6 and below are no longer supported with security updates.
- With security patch level is dated prior to February 2019.
**4.0 Recommendations**
- Android phone user are advised to update their devices to latest version whenever it’s available
- It's up to the device manufacturer, and mobile carrier if appropriate, to approve and pass on fixes.
- Certain Google devices, primarily Pixel and older Nexus devices, get them directly from Google itself, and its Play services can in some cases push patches straight to the devices.
- General best practice for smartphone users:
- Verify an app's permission before installing it i.e. online banking app shouldn’t require access to camera, microphone and SMS permission.
- Do not click on adware or suspicious URL sent through SMS/messaging services. Malicious program could be attached to collect user's information.
- Verify given URLs with the official financial institution or law enforcement agency website. On mobile, site URL may appear differently from desktop browser, make sure to verify it too.
- Always run a reputable anti-virus on your smartphone/mobile devices, and keep it up to date regularly.
- Don't use public Wi-Fi networks for bank transactions and turn off Bluetooth connection when not in use. These can be open windows for eavesdroppers intercepting the transaction or installing spyware and other malware on user's smartphone/tablet.
- Update the operating system and applications on smartphone/tablet, including the browser, in order to avoid any malicious exploits of security holes in out-dates versions.
- Do not root or otherwise 'Jailbreak' your phone. This give administrator privilege to access the device filesystem and malicious app could take advantage.
- Avoid side loading (installing from non-official sources) when you can. If you do install Android software from other source than the official app store, be sure that it is coming from a reputable source.
- Please ensure to turn off the “Unknown Source” option in the Security Settings page.
Generally, MyCERT advises the users of this devices to be updated with the latest security announcements by the vendor and follow best practice security policies to determine which updates should be applied.
For further enquiries, please contact MyCERT through the following channels:
E-mail: [[email protected]](/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c1a2b8a3a4b3f8f8f881a2b8a3a4b3b2a4a2b4b3a8b5b8efacb8) or [[email protected]](/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5d30243e382f291d30243e382f2973322f3a733024)
Phone: 1-300-88-2999 (monitored during business hours)
Fax: +603 89453442
Mobile: +60 19 2665850 (24x7 call incident reporting)
SMS: CYBER999 REPORT EMAIL COMPLAINT to 15888
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**5.0    References**
- <https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2019-02-01.html>
- <https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/pixel/>
- <https://lgsecurity.lge.com/security_updates.html>
- <https://motorola-global-portal.custhelp.com/app/software-upgrade-news/g_id/1949>
- <https://www.nokia.com/en_int/phones/security-updates>
- <https://security.samsungmobile.com/securityUpdate.smsb>
- <https://consumer.huawei.com/en/support/bulletin/2019/2/>
- <https://www.theregister.co.uk/2019/02/07/android_january_patches/>
- <https://www.doxnet.com/2019/02/updates-available-google-android-os-address-security-flaws/>