CVE-2020-0140 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In rw_i93_sm_detect_ndef of rw_i93.c, there is a possible information disclosure due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to remote information disclosure with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-10Android ID: A-146053215
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-0140 resides within the Android operating system's NFC (Near Field Communication) stack, specifically in the rw_i93_sm_detect_ndef function located in the rw_i93.c source file. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that could potentially allow remote information disclosure without requiring any additional privileges or user interaction for exploitation. The vulnerability is classified as a missing bounds check, which is a common pattern that can lead to various security issues including information disclosure, memory corruption, or privilege escalation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of input data during NFC tag communication processing. When the system attempts to detect NDEF (NFC Data Exchange Format) data from ISO 14443-3 compliant tags, the rw_i93_sm_detect_ndef function fails to properly verify the boundaries of incoming data structures. This missing bounds check creates a potential buffer overread condition where the system may attempt to access memory locations beyond the intended data buffer. Such behavior can result in exposing sensitive information from adjacent memory regions including kernel memory, user credentials, or other confidential data that should remain protected from unauthorized access.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to Android devices running Android 10, as it enables remote information disclosure attacks that can be executed without user interaction. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that NFC functionality is widely enabled on modern smartphones and tablets, making these devices potential targets for attackers who could exploit this flaw to extract sensitive information from the device's memory. The absence of requirements for additional execution privileges or user interaction makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by attackers with minimal attack vectors. The Android ID A-146053215 indicates this was properly tracked and addressed by Google's security team, highlighting the severity of the issue within the Android ecosystem.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which describes "Improper Validation of Array Index" and represents a classic bounds checking failure that can lead to information disclosure. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability could be leveraged as part of a broader attack chain under techniques such as T1059 for command execution and T1005 for data from local system. The attack could potentially be combined with other techniques to escalate privileges or extract additional sensitive information from the compromised device. Organizations and device manufacturers should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest security patches, monitoring for anomalous NFC activity, and implementing network-level controls to prevent unauthorized access to NFC-enabled devices.
The root cause analysis reveals that this issue likely emerged from inadequate input validation during NFC protocol processing, where the system failed to properly validate the length and structure of incoming NDEF data before attempting to parse it. This type of vulnerability is particularly challenging to detect during standard code reviews as it often manifests only under specific conditions or when processing malformed data. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked memory contents could potentially include cryptographic keys, user authentication tokens, or other sensitive data that could be exploited in subsequent attacks. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader NFC security assessment and implement comprehensive monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts.