CVE-2020-0133 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In MockLocationAppPreferenceController.java, it is possible to mock the GPS location of the device due to a permissions bypass. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with User execution privileges needed. User interaction is needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-10Android ID: A-145136060
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-0133 resides within the MockLocationAppPreferenceController.java component of Android 10 systems, representing a significant security flaw that undermines the integrity of location services. This issue stems from an insufficient permissions check that allows malicious applications to bypass security controls designed to prevent unauthorized GPS location mocking. The vulnerability specifically affects the Android operating system version 10 and is catalogued under Android ID A-145136060, highlighting its impact on the platform's location privacy and security mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves a permissions bypass mechanism that enables applications with standard user privileges to manipulate GPS location data without proper authorization. When an application attempts to modify location settings through the MockLocationAppPreferenceController, the system fails to adequately verify whether the requesting application possesses the necessary elevated permissions required for such modifications. This oversight creates a pathway for privilege escalation where a locally executing user application can manipulate device location data, potentially affecting location-based services, security features, and location-dependent applications. The vulnerability operates through a direct manipulation of system preferences that control mock location functionality, effectively allowing unauthorized applications to assume control over device geolocation capabilities.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a substantial risk to user privacy and system security as it enables local privilege escalation with minimal user interaction requirements. An attacker with user-level execution privileges can exploit this flaw to manipulate GPS coordinates, potentially leading to location spoofing that could compromise location-based services, security applications, and geofencing features. The impact extends beyond simple location manipulation, as it could enable more sophisticated attacks such as bypassing location-based access controls, evading security monitoring systems, or conducting location-based social engineering attacks. The vulnerability's exploitation requires only user execution privileges and minimal interaction, making it particularly dangerous in environments where applications may have elevated trust levels or where users might unknowingly execute malicious code.
The security implications of CVE-2020-0133 align with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for privilege escalation through local execution. The vulnerability demonstrates a clear failure in the principle of least privilege, where the system does not properly enforce access controls for critical location services. Mitigation strategies should include immediate system updates from Android 10 vendors, implementation of enhanced permission checking mechanisms, and regular security audits of location service components. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting, monitoring for unauthorized location modifications, and educating users about the risks of executing untrusted applications. Additionally, the vulnerability underscores the importance of proper input validation and access control enforcement in system preference controllers, particularly those managing sensitive device capabilities like location services.