CVE-2020-0158 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In nfc_ncif_proc_t3t_polling_ntf of nfc_ncif.cc, there is a possible out of bounds read due to a missing bounds 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-141547128
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-0158 resides within the NFC (Near Field Communication) subsystem of Android 10 operating systems, specifically within the nfc_ncif_proc_t3t_polling_ntf function located in the nfc_ncif.cc source file. This flaw represents a critical out-of-bounds read condition that occurs when processing T3T polling notifications, which are fundamental components of NFC communication protocols used for peer-to-peer data exchange and card emulation scenarios. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and boundary checking mechanisms within the NFC stack, creating a potential pathway for malicious actors to extract sensitive information from memory locations beyond the intended buffer boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a missing bounds check during the processing of NFC T3T (Type 3 Tag) polling notifications, which are part of the NFC Forum's technical specifications for NFC communication. When the system receives a malformed or unexpected T3T polling notification, the nfc_ncif_proc_t3t_polling_ntf function fails to validate the data length or position before accessing memory regions. This omission allows an attacker to potentially craft malicious NFC payloads that cause the NFC subsystem to read beyond allocated memory boundaries, potentially exposing sensitive data such as kernel memory contents, cryptographic keys, or system credentials. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only system-level execution privileges to exploit, meaning that any application with system-level access or a compromised system component could leverage this flaw for information disclosure.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-0158 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it could potentially enable more sophisticated attacks within the Android security model. An attacker with system execution privileges could exploit this vulnerability to extract sensitive kernel memory contents, potentially including credentials, encryption keys, or other confidential information stored in memory. The attack vector leverages the NFC subsystem's processing of T3T polling notifications, which are commonly used in legitimate NFC operations such as contactless payment systems, device pairing, and data exchange protocols. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of array indices, and represents a classic example of how insufficient bounds checking can lead to memory corruption vulnerabilities. The flaw's classification under the ATT&CK framework would fall under the T1059.001 technique for command and scripting interpreter, as exploitation could involve crafting malicious NFC payloads to trigger the vulnerable code path.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-0158 should prioritize the immediate application of Android security patches released by Google, which include proper bounds checking mechanisms within the NFC subsystem's T3T polling notification processing. Organizations should implement comprehensive NFC security monitoring and disable unnecessary NFC functionality on devices where it is not required for business operations. System administrators should also consider deploying network-level controls to restrict NFC communication where possible, and implement regular security assessments of NFC-enabled applications to ensure proper input validation. The vulnerability's exploitation requires system-level privileges, but the potential for information disclosure makes it a critical concern for enterprise environments where NFC capabilities are utilized. Additionally, developers should review their NFC application code for similar bounds checking issues and implement defensive programming practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities in custom NFC implementations. The patch for this vulnerability specifically addresses the missing bounds check in the NFC processing function, ensuring that all input data is properly validated before memory access operations occur.