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Android sig vuln exploit SEEN IN THE WILD

Tiny script is a big headache

A github user has demonstrated that the Android APK vulnerability isn't a trivial matter, posting “quick and dirty” proof-of-concept exploit code on github.

The demo, here, occupies just 32 lines of shell script – it doesn't actually plant malware into the target code, it merely allows an app to masquerade under another app's identity.

As noted in The Register on July 4, the vulnerability allows an app's APK code to be modified without breaking its cryptographic signature. At the time, Bluebox, which discovered the vulnerability (thus creating the credible business card any security startup needs), explained that firmware updates will be needed to fix the issue.

Github user “Poliva” – Pau Oliva Fora, whose LinkedIn profile identifies him as an engineer at viaForensics in Spain – created the script apparently without access to the promised extra information that Bluebox plans to present at Black Hat USA in August.

Although Google has been pushing patches to its OEMs since March, its availability depends on whether the OEM has shipped the new code through carriers to end users. In the meantime, Google maintains its advice that users should stay away from third-party Android app markets. ®

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