G300 ICS USSD Vulnerability

[Guest dem0nx]

I have no idea if there is a factory reset USSD for this however I can confirm that the USSD thing works on G300 phones (and most likely others) I am using a slightly different method of doing this instead of

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I am using <meta http-equiv="REFRESH" content="0;url=tel:*%2306%23"></HEAD>

You can test to see if your phone is vulnerable here : http://198.100.157.97/test.html

[Guest Hogweed]

I see...

http://securitywatch...ours-vulnerable

Ooops.

I can confirm vulnerability on Gingerbread as well - tested with Gr2 but that's the stock dialler so likely a problem in all GB ROMs. Workaround - install another app for "tel" protocol handler. See post below.

Edited September 25, 2012 by Hogweed

[Guest Hogweed]

Temporary workaround http://dylanreeve.po...ote-ussd-attack

Summary of workaround: Just Install Dialer One from Play Store.

Then, if a website sends the G300 self-destruct code or whatever, you will be prompted before it is actually carried out.

Edited September 25, 2012 by Hogweed

[Guest dem0nx]

That seems to have sorted it, thanks.

[Guest John Young Photos]

Not heard of this before... thanks..

So how common is this ?? Has many people been infected (not read whole article)

[Guest Davidoff59]

Working here on ics too.Pretty sure its just been found so none infected yet.

[Guest Hogweed]

Seems it has only just been revealed in public but was discovered at least a few months ago. How serious it is depends on just what special codes the phone has. Some Android phones seem to have a "Wipe all Data" USSD code which executes immediately without asking the user for a confirm. So it is bye, bye time. Many Samsung and HTC phones seem to have been confirmed to be wipeable. Haven't tried any of the dangerous codes on my G300 to see what happens but the "safe" codes certainly work so I suspect so will any G300 specific "dangerous ones" - public or not. If anyone feels brave and has backups and deep pockets (in case you end up with a brick) then feel free to try some out. :-)

The code can be launched from any "infected" web page or by scanning QR codes with USSD telephone numbers. Could be embedded in an SMS or email as well.

Edited September 25, 2012 by Hogweed

[Guest fr0do]

Any 3rd party dialler installed intercepts the action. Just tested with dialer ex

[Guest mack_]

this sucks....and even if we told huawei they would probably not try to sort it out anyway.

[Guest John Young Photos]

So do I just need to install "Dialer One" from play store and that will protect my phone.... any other steps needed ?

[Guest Davidoff59]

That's it John. its a temp workaround.

[Guest John Young Photos]

That's it John. its a temp workaround.

Thanks..... :D

[Guest Colossae3.23]

I hope I'm not muddying the waters, with my dullness... :unsure:

I was a bit confused last night regarding what the test actually did. I've got it now, but last night I installed exdialer just because everyone was saying its the way to fix this issue. But, after sussing this out this morning I double checked and exdialer failed (i.e. showed my my imei). So, uninstalled it and checked both dialerone and the stock dialer, both succeeded in only showing the USSD code.

So, maybe my stock dialer was ok the whole time and I didn't really test it correctly, last night?

Or, the act of installing dialerone, has done something to sort the problem (if that's possible)???

I've since uninstalled dialerone, and double checked the stock dialer, and its all good now. For what's worth I'm on the 940 repack.

[Guest Cyda]

A nice android dev has created an app to help protect against this vulnerability.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.mulliner.telstop

[Guest Colossae3.23]

A nice android dev has created an app to help protect against this vulnerability.

https://play.google....ulliner.telstop

diolch yn fawr

[Guest tcpaulh]

Oh dear. http://forum.vodafone.co.uk/t5/Other-Manufacturers-and-OS/Fix-Required-Ascend-G300-and-others-vulnerable-to-simple/td-p/1279818

[Guest Cyda]

Oh dear. http://forum.vodafon...le/td-p/1279818

Man, there are some idiots replying to that thread. 'Community experts'? Yeah right. :blink:

Edited September 26, 2012 by Cyda

[Guest droiddruid]

Good to know we are in safe hands huh?

Chuckle

[Guest fr0do]

I hope I'm not muddying the waters, with my dullness... :unsure:

I was a bit confused last night regarding what the test actually did. I've got it now, but last night I installed exdialer just because everyone was saying its the way to fix this issue. But, after sussing this out this morning I double checked and exdialer failed (i.e. showed my my imei). So, uninstalled it and checked both dialerone and the stock dialer, both succeeded in only showing the USSD code.

So, maybe my stock dialer was ok the whole time and I didn't really test it correctly, last night?

Or, the act of installing dialerone, has done something to sort the problem (if that's possible)???

I've since uninstalled dialerone, and double checked the stock dialer, and its all good now. For what's worth I'm on the 940 repack.

I thought the point of the alternate dialler was to intercept remote access, which installing any extra dialler seems to do... instead of the code being automatically executed, you're prompted to choose a program to run it. Which for users is a simple choice if they didn't intend to run the dialler code. Did I get that wrong then?

[Guest fr0do]

Wow those voda forum people are ignorant!

[Guest tcpaulh]

Would be helpful if someone on unmodified b892 would post a photo (not a screenshot) showing both the G300 and the effect of visiting the proof of concept url. You'll need to blank out part of your imei in any uploaded pic.

[Guest Davidoff59]

I don't think they are reps, merely members with experience

[Guest Davidoff59]

http://blog.mobilephonesecurity.org/2012/09/samsung-galaxy-siii-data-wiping-on.html?m=1

More devices vulnerable. Can someone post to vodafone eforum.

[Guest tcpaulh]

https://twitter.com/raviborgaonkar# discovered it.

[Guest Redflake]

On stock B940 doing the test does not show the imei number but just displays *#06# in the dialed number area.

So dosn't look like its vunerable.