CVE-2020-0091 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In mnld, an incorrect configuration in driver_cfg of mnld for meta factory mode.Product: AndroidVersions: Android SoCAndroid ID: A-149808700
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/15/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-0091 affects the mnld component within Android SoC implementations, specifically concerning driver configuration in meta factory mode. This issue represents a configuration flaw that occurs during the manufacturing and provisioning phase of Android devices, where the meta factory mode configuration does not properly validate or enforce secure driver settings. The vulnerability stems from inadequate security controls during the device provisioning process, particularly when transitioning from manufacturing to production states where driver configurations must be properly secured.
The technical flaw manifests in the driver_cfg functionality of mnld which is responsible for managing driver configurations during the meta factory mode operations. When devices are provisioned in this mode, the system fails to properly validate the driver configuration parameters, potentially allowing insecure or improperly configured drivers to be loaded. This misconfiguration can lead to unauthorized access to critical system components and may enable privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-707 as improper neutralization of special elements in configuration data, specifically concerning driver configuration parameters during manufacturing processes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple configuration errors as it can enable attackers with physical access to devices during manufacturing or provisioning phases to manipulate driver behavior and potentially gain elevated privileges. During meta factory mode operations, the device is in a transitional state where security controls may be relaxed or improperly enforced, creating an attack surface where malicious actors could exploit the incorrect driver configuration to execute unauthorized code or access restricted system resources. This vulnerability particularly affects Android SoC implementations where the mnld service handles driver configuration during device manufacturing and provisioning.
Security implications of CVE-2020-0091 align with ATT&CK technique T1068 which involves exploiting local system privileges to escalate access. The vulnerability can be leveraged by attackers who gain access to devices during manufacturing or provisioning phases to manipulate driver configurations, potentially enabling persistent access or privilege escalation. The issue demonstrates a weakness in the principle of least privilege during manufacturing processes, where the system should enforce strict security controls but instead allows for potentially insecure driver configurations to persist. This represents a critical gap in supply chain security where devices may ship with insecure configurations that could be exploited post-deployment.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve implementing proper validation of driver configurations during meta factory mode operations, ensuring that all driver parameters are properly validated and secured before device provisioning completes. Organizations should enforce strict access controls during manufacturing phases and implement automated validation checks that verify driver configurations against security baselines. The fix requires updating the mnld component to properly validate driver configuration data during meta factory mode and ensure that insecure configurations cannot be loaded. Additionally, security controls should be strengthened to prevent unauthorized modifications to driver configurations during device provisioning, which aligns with security framework requirements for secure device manufacturing processes and supply chain integrity.