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Review, Analysis and Recommendations for Secure Applications in Android Platforms

Review, Analysis and Recommendations for Secure Applications in Android Platforms. Diego Betancur Supervisors: Prof. Vijay Varadharajan Dr. Udaya Tupakula June 13 th , 2012. Outline. Introduction Android Security Model (System and Applications) Android Market and Malware

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Review, Analysis and Recommendations for Secure Applications in Android Platforms

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  1. Review, Analysis and Recommendations forSecure Applications in Android Platforms Diego Betancur Supervisors: Prof. VijayVaradharajan Dr. UdayaTupakula June 13th, 2012

  2. Outline • Introduction • Android Security Model (System and Applications) • Android Market and Malware • Current Security Problems • Possible Solutions • Secure Development Diego Betancur Android Security Review and Solutions

  3. Why Care? • Almost 1'000.000 activations everyday. • Malware growing rapidly • Worldwide Smartphone Sales (%) Diego Betancur Android Security Review and Solutions

  4. Android Architecture

  5. Outline • Introduction • Android Security Model (System and Applications) • Android Market and Malware • Current Security Problems • Possible Solutions • Secure Development Diego Betancur Android Security Review and Solutions

  6. Application Isolation - Sandbox • Different UID and GID for every app • No shared memory or resources • Interaction between apps through components • Some processes run in 'root' mode not accessible to user • Isolation at kernel level not the VM Diego Betancur Android Security Review and Solutions

  7. Application Components • Activities: UI • Services: Daemons running in the background • Content Providers: Relational DB for sharing data • Broadcast Receivers: Receive messages from other apps/system. E.g. Battery is charged • Intents: Triggers another component Diego Betancur Android Security Review and Solutions

  8. Permissions • Restrict components interactions • Granted by users at installation • Defined in the Manifest File (xml) • Levels: • Normal: Set alarm, vibrate • Dangerous: Send SMS, calls • Signature: Inject events • SignatureOnSystem: Access USB Diego Betancur Android Security Review and Solutions

  9. Outline • Introduction • Android Security Model (System and Applications) • Android Market and Malware • Current Security Problems • Possible Solutions • Secure Development Diego Betancur Android Security Review and Solutions

  10. Android Market • Easy to publish apps, only $25 • 46.9% growth in the last few years • Over 10 billions app downloads • Around 70% of apps are free • 80% supported by advertisement • Controls: • Application Signing • Security Scan Diego Betancur Android Security Review and Solutions

  11. Malware Types in Android Diego Betancur Android Security Review and Solutions

  12. Tap-Jacking Attack • Malicious Activity • User interacts with a fake interface Diego Betancur Android Security Review and Solutions

  13. Outline • Introduction • Android Security Model (System and Applications) • Android Market and Malware • Current Security Problems • Possible Solutions • Secure Development Diego Betancur Android Security Review and Solutions

  14. Users: The Weakest Link • Do users read permissions before installing an app? • Do users understand the risks involved? • Its all about Trust Diego Betancur Android Security Review and Solutions

  15. Rooting • Why? • Access custom ROMs • Remove vendors and operators apps • More speed and functionalities • Problems: • Needs to exploit a vulnerability • If a malicious process gets root privileges all security is compromised (Encryption, app isolation) Diego Betancur Android Security Review and Solutions

  16. Inter-Application Communication (IPC) Diego Betancur Android Security Review and Solutions

  17. The Permission Model • A secure app does not remain secure forever • No Selective Permissions • Advertisement Permissions: • FULL INTERNET ACCESS • FINE LOCATION • Other Permissions: • SD ACCESS Diego Betancur Android Security Review and Solutions

  18. Outline • Introduction • Android Security Model (System and Applications) • Android Market and Malware • Current Security Problems • Possible Solutions • Secure Development Diego Betancur Android Security Review and Solutions

  19. Permissions By Category Model Example • Social and Communication • ACCOUNTS • PERSONAL INFO • Communication Only • COST MONEY • MESSAGES • MESSAGES: Trusted Email client • FULL INTERNET ACCESS • LOCATION Diego Betancur Android Security Review and Solutions

  20. IPC Problem Solutions • IPC inspection based on "taints" (labels) to identify the source • History-Based Access Control (HBAC) • Disadvantage: • Processing Overhead Diego Betancur Android Security Review and Solutions

  21. Permissions Problem Solutions • New set of Permissions for Advertisement. E.g. LOCATION_ADVERTISEMENT • Selective Permissions. E.g.: By time • Include security ratings for developers • Remove permissions for paid versions • Disadvantages: • Tracking of more attributes • Affects developers business model Diego Betancur Android Security Review and Solutions

  22. Outline • Introduction • Android Security Model (System and Applications) • Android Market and Malware • Current Security Problems • Possible Solutions • Secure Development Diego Betancur Android Security Review and Solutions

  23. Secure Development • Intents: Do not use them to pass confidential data • Services: Check permission of calling component (PERMISSION_DENIED or PERMISSION_GRANTED) • Broadcasts Receivers: Validate input from Intents and do not leak information • Content Providers: Define permission to access. Use URI schemes • Intent Filters: Activities should only be launched by authorized components. Add categories to restrict what intents can be called Diego Betancur Android Security Review and Solutions

  24. Additional Best Practices • Encrypt sensitive data: • 3DES, AES, Certificate • Mark components as: android:exported="false" unless public • Use custom permissions to control access • Use anti-malware protection Diego Betancur Android Security Review and Solutions

  25. Conclusions • Good Default System Security (Sandbox) • High re-usability by components • Trade-off: Usability vs Security • Risk: Consequences (Privacy and Confidentiality) x Likelihood (Large amount of apps installed by Users) • Developers can create a secure environment Diego Betancur Android Security Review and Solutions

  26. Questions?Thank you. Diego Betancur Android Security Review and Solutions

  27. References • Android Security Model made at Android Dev Camp, March 4-6 • http://developer.android.com • Deep Drive into Android Security – AleskandarGargenta Diego Betancur Android Security Review and Solutions

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