CVE-2020-0124 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In markBootComplete of InstalldNativeService.cpp, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with System execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-10Android ID: A-140237592
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-0124 resides within the Android system's installation service component, specifically in the markBootComplete function of InstalldNativeService.cpp. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that could enable attackers to escalate privileges from a standard user account to system-level execution privileges. The vulnerability manifests as an out-of-bounds write condition that occurs when the system fails to properly validate array bounds before writing data to memory locations. This type of flaw falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-129, which specifically addresses insufficient bounds checking in software implementations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the Android installation service daemon known as installd, which operates with elevated system privileges to manage application installations and updates. When the markBootComplete function processes certain input parameters during the boot completion marking process, it fails to validate the size or bounds of data structures before performing memory writes. This missing bounds check allows an attacker to potentially overwrite adjacent memory locations with arbitrary data, which could corrupt critical system structures or inject malicious code. The vulnerability requires the attacker to have system execution privileges initially, but once exploited, it could provide complete system compromise through privilege escalation.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-0124 extends beyond simple local privilege escalation, as it represents a pathway for attackers to gain full control over Android devices running Android 10. The exploitation process, while requiring initial system-level access, could be leveraged to establish persistent backdoors, modify system binaries, or access sensitive user data. The vulnerability affects all Android 10 devices and represents a significant concern for device manufacturers and security professionals, as it could be exploited in various attack scenarios including supply chain compromises or targeted attacks against specific device populations. This flaw aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation tactics, specifically targeting the execution of malicious code with elevated privileges.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patch deployment through official Android security updates, which would include bounds checking mechanisms to prevent the out-of-bounds write condition. Organizations should also implement additional security controls such as runtime application protection, memory integrity checking, and monitoring for suspicious system behavior. Device manufacturers should ensure comprehensive testing of system services and implement robust input validation across all components that handle system-level operations. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and proper bounds checking in system-level services, particularly those that operate with elevated privileges and handle sensitive system operations. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar flaws in other system components, as this vulnerability represents a pattern of insecure memory management practices that could affect other Android system services.