CVE-2024-0048 Overview
CVE-2024-0048 is a local privilege escalation vulnerability in the Android AccountManagerService.java component. The flaw resides in the Session class, where incorrect handling of null responses allows an application to retain foreground service privileges beyond its intended lifecycle. An attacker with local access and low privileges can exploit this issue without user interaction. Google addressed the vulnerability in the March 2024 Android Security Bulletin. The affected releases include Android 12, 12L, 13, and 14. The weakness is classified under CWE-230: Improper Handling of Missing Values.
Critical Impact
A local application can escalate privileges by retaining foreground service state, bypassing Android's background execution restrictions without requiring additional execution privileges or user interaction.
Affected Products
- Google Android 12.0
- Google Android 12.1 (12L)
- Google Android 13.0
- Google Android 14.0
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-03-01 - Google publishes fix in the Android Security Bulletin
- 2024-03-11 - CVE-2024-0048 published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-0048
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability exists in the Session inner class of AccountManagerService.java, part of the Android platform framework. Android uses AccountManagerService to broker credential operations between apps and authenticator services. During these operations, the service starts a foreground service tied to the calling application to display authentication activity to the user.
When an authenticator returns a null response, the service fails to correctly tear down the associated foreground state. The calling application retains the elevated foreground service privileges after the session ends. This allows the app to continue running in a state normally restricted to user-visible operations, bypassing Android's background execution limits and privilege boundaries.
The issue is a local escalation of privilege. It does not require additional execution privileges beyond those already granted to a standard installed application, and user interaction is not required to trigger the null response path.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper handling of missing values [CWE-230]. Session handling logic within AccountManagerService.java assumes the authenticator response object is non-null before completing cleanup. When the response is null, the cleanup path that would revoke the foreground service allowlist entry is not executed, leaving the caller in a privileged execution state.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires a locally installed application on the target device. The attacker's application interacts with AccountManager APIs in a way that induces the authenticator to return a null response. Once the null response is processed, the caller retains foreground service capabilities and can perform actions or maintain background persistence that Android's process lifecycle would otherwise deny.
Refer to the Android source code change for the corrected null-handling logic in AccountManagerService.java.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-0048
Indicators of Compromise
- Applications running as foreground services without a visible user-facing activity or notification tied to an account operation
- Repeated invocations of AccountManager APIs by an untrusted application followed by extended process runtime
- Processes maintaining FOREGROUND_SERVICE state after the originating account operation should have completed
Detection Strategies
- Audit installed applications on Android 12, 12L, 13, and 14 devices for security patch level earlier than 2024-03-01
- Inspect dumpsys account and dumpsys activity services output for account sessions that persist beyond expected authentication flows
- Correlate mobile threat defense telemetry for applications abusing AccountManager APIs with elevated background persistence
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enforce mobile device management (MDM) policies that report the Android security patch level for every enrolled device
- Alert when devices in the fleet report a patch level older than March 2024
- Monitor for sideloaded applications requesting account or authenticator permissions on managed devices
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-0048
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the March 2024 Android security patch (patch level 2024-03-01 or later) to all Android 12, 12L, 13, and 14 devices
- Verify patch level through Settings, MDM reporting, or the ro.build.version.security_patch system property
- Restrict installation of untrusted applications on devices that cannot yet receive the patch
Patch Information
Google released the fix in the Android Security Bulletin - March 2024. The upstream framework fix is available in the AOSP commit 2c236cd, which corrects the null response handling in AccountManagerService.java. OEM builds incorporating this AOSP change and reporting a security patch level of 2024-03-01 or later remediate the issue.
Workarounds
- Limit application installations to vetted sources such as Google Play with Play Protect enabled
- Review and revoke account-related permissions for applications that do not require them
- Enroll devices in MDM to block sideloading and enforce timely security patch adoption
# Verify Android security patch level on a device via ADB
adb shell getprop ro.build.version.security_patch
# Expected output for remediated devices: 2024-03-01 or later
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
