CVE-2020-0090 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An improper authorization in the receiver component of Email.Product: AndroidVersions: Android SoCAndroid ID: A-149813048
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/15/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-0090 represents a critical authorization flaw within the email receiver component of Android operating systems. This issue affects Android SoC platforms and was assigned the Android ID A-149813048, indicating its severity and the need for immediate attention. The vulnerability stems from improper authorization mechanisms that allow unauthorized access to email processing functions within the system's receiver component. The receiver component in Android is responsible for handling incoming broadcasts and intents, making it a prime target for privilege escalation attacks.
The technical flaw manifests in the email receiver's failure to properly validate authorization levels when processing incoming email messages or related intents. This weakness enables malicious applications or processes to bypass normal access controls and gain unauthorized privileges within the email processing subsystem. The vulnerability specifically impacts how the system validates whether incoming email data should be processed by the receiver component, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate email flow and access restricted functionality. This flaw operates at the system level rather than application level, meaning it can be exploited across multiple email applications and services.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-0090 is substantial as it creates a persistent security risk that can be exploited by attackers with minimal privileges to gain elevated access within the email processing framework. An attacker could potentially intercept, modify, or redirect email communications, leading to data breaches, privacy violations, and potential system compromise. The vulnerability affects all affected Android versions, making it a widespread concern across numerous devices and platforms. This authorization bypass could enable attackers to access sensitive email data, manipulate email routing, or even execute arbitrary code within the email processing context, representing a significant threat to user privacy and data integrity.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest Android security patches and updates, which address the authorization validation issues in the email receiver component. System administrators should also consider implementing network monitoring to detect unusual email processing patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which covers improper authorization issues, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, involving local privilege escalation through system component manipulation. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their email systems and ensure that all Android devices are updated with the latest security patches to prevent exploitation of this authorization flaw.