CVE-2024-0014 Overview
CVE-2024-0014 is a local privilege escalation vulnerability in Android's UpdateFetcher.java. A logic error in the startInstall method allows a local attacker to trigger a malicious configuration update. Exploitation requires no user interaction and no additional execution privileges beyond those already held by the calling context. Google addressed the issue in the Android Security Bulletin February 2024. Affected releases include Android 11, 12, 12L, 13, and 14.
Critical Impact
A local attacker can escalate privileges on affected Android devices by forcing installation of an attacker-controlled configuration update, potentially compromising device integrity and confidentiality.
Affected Products
- Google Android 11.0
- Google Android 12.0 and 12.1
- Google Android 13.0 and 14.0
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-02-16 - CVE-2024-0014 published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
- 2024-02-01 - Google publishes fix in the Android Security Bulletin
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-0014
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in the startInstall function of UpdateFetcher.java, a component involved in fetching and installing configuration updates on Android devices. A logic error in this function fails to correctly validate the conditions under which a configuration update should be installed. As a result, an attacker with local access can cause the system to accept and apply a malicious configuration update. Because configuration updates are consumed by privileged system components, the flaw provides a path from a lower-privileged local context to higher-privileged code execution. The issue is categorized under [CWE-693] (Protection Mechanism Failure).
Root Cause
The root cause is a logic error in the update installation path rather than a memory-safety defect. The startInstall method does not enforce the correct preconditions before dispatching an update for installation. This weakens the protection mechanism intended to ensure that only legitimate, authorized configuration updates are applied to the device.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires local access to the device with low privileges. No user interaction is needed. An attacker with a foothold, for example through a malicious application already installed on the device, can invoke the vulnerable code path to deliver an attacker-controlled configuration update. This yields local escalation of privilege without triggering additional prompts or permission requests. See the Android Security Bulletin February 2024 for advisory details.
No verified public proof-of-concept code is available. Technical exploitation details have not been released by Google beyond the bulletin metadata.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-0014
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected configuration update events initiated by non-system processes on the device
- Presence of applications with elevated privileges shortly after a config-update-related event in system logs
- Anomalous invocations of the UpdateFetcher component from userspace applications
Detection Strategies
- Review Android logcat output for entries associated with UpdateFetcher.startInstall triggered outside expected system update flows
- Correlate MDM telemetry for devices running Android 11 through 14 that have not received the February 2024 security patch level
- Perform behavioral analysis on installed applications requesting local IPC access to update-related system services
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enforce a minimum Android security patch level of 2024-02-01 across managed fleets using mobile device management (MDM) policies
- Alert on devices reporting a security patch level older than February 2024 during compliance checks
- Monitor enterprise app repositories for sideloaded applications that interact with configuration update APIs
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-0014
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the February 2024 Android security patch (SPL 2024-02-01 or later) to all affected devices
- Identify devices running Android 11 through 14 that have not received the patch and prioritize them for update
- Restrict installation of untrusted third-party applications on unpatched devices until updates are applied
Patch Information
Google released the fix as part of the Android Security Bulletin February 2024. Devices with a security patch level of 2024-02-01 or later contain the corrected logic in UpdateFetcher.java. OEMs distribute the fix through their normal firmware update channels, so timing may vary by device vendor.
Workarounds
- Limit local access to devices by enforcing strong screen lock and disabling developer options and USB debugging in production fleets
- Deploy MDM policies that block installation of applications from unknown sources on unpatched devices
- Segment unpatched devices from access to sensitive enterprise resources until firmware updates are delivered by the device OEM
# Example MDM compliance check: enforce minimum Android security patch level
# Devices reporting an SPL older than 2024-02-01 should be marked non-compliant
adb shell getprop ro.build.version.security_patch
# Expected output: 2024-02-01 or later
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
