CVE-2020-0142 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In rw_i93_sm_format 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-146435761
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-0142 resides within the rw_i93_sm_format function in the rw_i93.c file of Android's NFC subsystem, representing a critical information disclosure flaw that undermines the security integrity of the platform. This issue manifests as a missing bounds check during the processing of NFC data structures, specifically affecting the ISO 14443-3 compliant NFC tags that utilize the RW_I93 protocol. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-129 as an "Improper Validation of Array Index" which directly enables attackers to manipulate memory access patterns that should otherwise be protected by proper boundary validation mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through malformed NFC data packets that are processed by the NFC subsystem when reading ISO 14443-3 tags. The rw_i93_sm_format function fails to validate the size of incoming data structures before attempting to read or write to memory locations, creating a classic buffer overread condition. This flaw allows an attacker to craft specially crafted NFC tags or data that, when processed by an Android 10 device, can cause the system to disclose sensitive memory contents including kernel memory addresses, stack data, or other confidential information that should remain protected. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires no user interaction or additional privileges beyond normal NFC functionality, making it a prime candidate for remote exploitation through malicious NFC tags placed in public spaces.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-0142 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked memory contents could potentially reveal sensitive system information that could be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to gather kernel memory layouts, device-specific identifiers, or other confidential data that would aid in crafting targeted attacks against the Android platform. The vulnerability affects Android 10 devices running the affected NFC stack components, and given the widespread adoption of Android 10, the potential attack surface is substantial. This flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.005 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: Visual Basic" and T1068 for "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" as it provides a foundation for more advanced exploitation techniques that could ultimately lead to privilege escalation or system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-0142 should focus on immediate patch deployment through Android security updates, as the vulnerability was addressed in subsequent security releases. Organizations should ensure their Android devices are updated to the latest security patches, particularly those released in the Q2 2020 security bulletin. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing NFC access controls and monitoring for suspicious NFC tag activity, while security teams should monitor for potential exploitation attempts through malicious NFC tags. The fix typically involves implementing proper bounds checking in the rw_i93_sm_format function to validate data sizes before memory operations, preventing the overread conditions that enable information disclosure. This remediation approach aligns with security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top 10 2017 under A03:2017 - Sensitive Data Exposure, ensuring proper input validation and bounds checking to prevent unauthorized data access through memory corruption vulnerabilities.