CVE-2020-0135 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In dump of RollbackManagerServiceImpl.java, there is a possible backup metadata exposure due to a missing permission check. This could lead to local information disclosure with System execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-10Android ID: A-150949837
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-0135 represents a critical permission enforcement flaw within Android's rollback management system, specifically affecting Android 10 implementations. This issue resides in the RollbackManagerServiceImpl.java component which handles rollback operations for system components and applications. The vulnerability stems from inadequate access control mechanisms that fail to properly validate authorization before exposing sensitive metadata about system rollback configurations. According to the Android security advisory, this flaw allows for local information disclosure when an attacker with system-level privileges can access backup metadata that should remain restricted. The vulnerability's classification as a missing permission check aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues where systems fail to properly verify that users have appropriate authorization levels before granting access to sensitive resources.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2020-0135 requires an attacker to already possess system execution privileges, meaning they must have achieved a high level of system compromise or have legitimate system-level access through legitimate means. However, the vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it exposes metadata that could reveal critical information about system rollback configurations, including version information, rollback point details, and potentially sensitive system state data. This metadata exposure could provide attackers with valuable intelligence for subsequent exploitation attempts, particularly when combined with other vulnerabilities or during advanced persistent threat operations. The flaw essentially creates a backdoor for information gathering that could aid in understanding system architecture and identifying potential future attack vectors.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability significantly impacts Android device security posture by creating an information disclosure channel that could be leveraged by sophisticated adversaries. The exposure of rollback metadata could reveal system versioning information that might be used to correlate with known vulnerabilities in specific Android versions, potentially enabling more targeted attacks. Security researchers have noted that such metadata exposure could be particularly dangerous when combined with other local privilege escalation vulnerabilities, as it provides attackers with additional context about system configurations and potentially exposes weaknesses in the rollback management system itself. The fact that user interaction is not required for exploitation makes this vulnerability particularly concerning as it can be triggered automatically by system processes or malicious applications running with system privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-0135 focus primarily on ensuring proper access control enforcement and system hardening measures. Android security patches address this vulnerability by implementing proper permission checks within the rollback manager service, ensuring that sensitive metadata is only accessible to authorized system components. Organizations should prioritize applying the relevant Android security updates as soon as possible, particularly in environments where system-level access might be compromised or where devices are exposed to potential malicious actors. Additionally, implementing robust monitoring for unauthorized access attempts to system services and maintaining strict access controls for system-level applications can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's alignment with ATT&CK technique T1068 suggests that it could be used as part of a broader attack chain where information gathering precedes more sophisticated exploitation tactics, making early remediation crucial for maintaining overall security posture.