This presentation is a case study showcasing the technical details of Android security bug 8219321, disclosed to Google in February 2013. The vulnerability involves discrepancies in how Android applications are cryptographically verified & installed, allowing for APK code modification without breaking the cryptographic signature; that in turn is a simple step away from system access & control. The vulnerability affects a wide number of Android devices, across generations & architectures, with little to no modifications of the exploit. The presentation will review how the vulnerability was located, how an exploit was created, and why the exploit works, giving you insight into the vulnerability problem and the exploitation process. Working PoCs for major Android device vendors will be made available to coincide with the presentation.
Jeff Forristal is a security technology professional with over a decade of experience in the security industry. Jeff has written multiple features and cover-story articles for Network Computing and Secure Enterprise magazines; he is also a contributing author to multiple books. Under the pseudonym “Rain Forest Puppy,” Jeff has been recognized as an industry expert in web application security and was responsible for the first publicized responsible security disclosure policy (2000), the first publicized recognition of SQL injection (Phrack, 1998), and the first intelligent open source web application scanner (Whisker, 1999).