Use of Implicit Intent for Sensitive Communication

Implicit intents are a security risk because they don't specify a single recipient app. Instead, they broadcast data to any application that declares it can handle that type of intent. This means a malicious app with a matching intent filter can eavesdrop on sensitive communications, such as authentication tokens or personal data. The risk is amplified by two specific broadcast types: ordered broadcasts, where a high-priority malicious receiver can block or alter the data mid-chain, and sticky broadcasts, which persist data in the system long after the initial send, increasing the window for exposure. Furthermore, intents can grant temporary URI permissions, giving the receiver access to files or content the sender app protects. A malicious interceptor gains those same privileges, leading to unauthorized data access. Identifying and fixing every instance of this pattern in a large codebase is challenging. An ASPM platform like Plexicus can automatically detect these flaws via SAST, and its AI-powered remediation can suggest the specific code changes—like switching to explicit intents or protected broadcasts—saving significant manual review time.