CVE-2020-0097 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In various methods of PackageManagerService.java, there is a possible permission bypass due to a missing condition for system apps. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with User privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-9 Android-10Android ID: A-145981139
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/15/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-0097 resides within the PackageManagerService.java component of Android operating systems, specifically affecting versions 9 and 10. This flaw represents a critical permission bypass issue that stems from a missing validation condition specifically designed for system applications. The vulnerability manifests in multiple methods of the PackageManagerService, creating a consistent weakness across the system's package management framework. The flaw allows for local privilege escalation, meaning that an attacker with only standard user privileges can potentially elevate their access level to that of system-level operations. This represents a significant security concern as it undermines the fundamental principle of least privilege that governs Android's security model.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the insufficient validation checks that should occur when processing system applications within the package management service. According to CWE-284, this vulnerability maps directly to improper access control issues where the system fails to properly enforce authorization mechanisms. The missing condition essentially creates a gap in the access control matrix, allowing unauthorized code execution paths that should only be available to system-level applications. The vulnerability's nature suggests that the PackageManagerService does not adequately verify whether incoming requests originate from legitimate system applications, thereby opening pathways for malicious code to exploit the system's trust relationships. This flaw operates at the core of Android's application installation and management system, where the service maintains critical information about installed applications and their permissions.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to Android devices as it enables local privilege escalation without requiring any user interaction for exploitation. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the 'Abuse Elevation Control Mechanisms' tactic. An attacker can leverage this weakness to gain elevated system privileges, potentially enabling them to access sensitive system resources, modify core system files, or install malicious applications with system-level permissions. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it could facilitate further attacks including data exfiltration, system modification, or even device compromise. The fact that this vulnerability affects both Android 9 and 10 versions indicates a widespread exposure across multiple Android releases, amplifying the potential attack surface.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-0097 should focus on immediate patch deployment as provided by Google through their regular security updates. Organizations and users must ensure their Android devices receive the latest security patches, particularly those addressing the PackageManagerService component. System administrators should implement robust monitoring of application installation activities and verify the legitimacy of system applications. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and access control checks within system services, reinforcing the need for comprehensive security testing of core Android components. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting policies and maintaining strict control over system application installations can help mitigate the risk until full patches are deployed. Security teams should also consider the broader implications of this vulnerability on their mobile device management strategies and ensure that their incident response procedures account for potential privilege escalation attacks targeting Android system services.