CVE-2020-0177 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In connect() of PanService.java, there is a possible permissions bypass. This could lead to local escalation of privilege to change network connection settings with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-10Android ID: A-126206353
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-0177 resides within the PanService.java component of Android 10 systems, specifically in the connect() method implementation. This flaw represents a critical permissions bypass vulnerability that allows unauthorized local processes to escalate their privileges and modify network connection settings without requiring additional execution privileges. The vulnerability stems from insufficient access controls and improper permission validation within the network service management framework, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate system network configurations from a lower privilege context.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the inherent trust model within Android's network service architecture, where the connect() method fails to adequately verify the calling process's permissions before allowing network configuration modifications. This weakness creates a privilege escalation path that operates at the system level, enabling attackers to alter network settings including but not limited to Wi-Fi configurations, cellular connection parameters, and proxy settings. The flaw operates without requiring user interaction, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited automatically by malicious applications or processes that have already gained some level of system access.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant security risks to Android 10 devices, as it allows for unauthorized network configuration changes that could enable man-in-the-middle attacks, data exfiltration, or network-based reconnaissance activities. The ability to modify network settings without additional privileges means that even applications with limited permissions could potentially redirect network traffic through malicious proxies or disable security features. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and undermines the Android security model's integrity, particularly concerning the separation between different application sandbox levels and system services.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation." Mitigation strategies should include immediate system updates from Google addressing the specific PanService.java implementation, implementation of additional permission checks within network service methods, and enhanced monitoring of network configuration changes. Organizations should also consider implementing application control measures to restrict access to system network services and establish network segmentation to limit the potential impact of such privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper access control implementation in system-level services and highlights the need for comprehensive security reviews of network management components in mobile operating systems.