full-disclosure - Re: [FD] Google's Android: remote install backdoor in Google Play Services

Open Source and information security mailing list archives

Date: Tue, 14 Jul 2020 13:19:15 -0400
From: Michael Lazin <microlaser@...il.com>
To: "Enrico Weigelt, metux IT consult" <info@...ux.net>
Cc: fulldisclosure@...lists.org, certbund@....bund.de
Subject: Re: [FD] Google's Android: remote install backdoor in Google Play
	Services

Could you please provide more detail.  I am not seeing how this is an
attack.  The Debian apt system which predates the play store seems to work
under the same principle.  You have a core set of default packages and you
can install your own packages from the store, in this case debian apt.  The
debian security team pushes updates which not only install software with
patches but the dependencies as well.  The vulnerability you appear to be
speaking about seems to be a fundamental way the concept of an app store
works, it must include a method of pushing patches as new exploits are
published.  This necessitates pushing any dependencies of the patches.  If
I am not understanding this properly please elucidate.

Thank you,

Michael Lazin

to gar auto estin noein te kai ennai

On Tue, Jul 14, 2020 at 2:01 AM Enrico Weigelt, metux IT consult <
info@...ux.net> wrote:

> =======================================================================
> Advisory: Google's Android (play services) built-in backdoor for remote
> app installation.
> =======================================================================
>
> Google's PlayServices has a built-in backdoor which allows Google Inc,
> or anybody who has access to some device owner's Google account to
> remotely silently deploy any apps (at least those listed in the AppStore).
>
>
> Some technical background:
>
> * PlayServices (GMS) frequently polls Google services for various kinds
>   of push messages
> * amongst those push message is one for triggering the GMS to *silently*
>   download and install some app from Google app store
> * there's no explicit notification, nor asking for confirmation
>   (except for download progress shortly appearing in status bar)
>
> Possible attackers:
>
> * anybody who highjacked victim's Google account
> * Malicious operatives at Google
>
> Quick mitigation:
>
> a) take away all permissions (especially changing system settings) from
>    Google Play Services as well as Google Play Store
>
>    --> dramatically reduced the ratio of successful remote deployments
>        via Google App Store Web interface
>
> b) disable / remove Google Play Services and Google App Store
>
>
> Legal considerations:
>
> It is clear that Google explicitly built in an backdoor for silent
> remote deployment, without user concent - which is an criminal offense
> in most jurisdictions. (eg. CFAA in the US, §303 StGB in Germany).
>
> Law enforcemence agencies are called to start criminal prosecution,
> victims (virtually any Android user) might consider filing criminal
> charges against Google.
>
>
> ---
> Enrico Weigelt, metux IT consult
> Free software and Linux embedded engineering
> info@...ux.net -- +49-151-27565287
>
> _______________________________________________
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> https://nmap.org/mailman/listinfo/fulldisclosure
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