CVE-2020-0178 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In getAllConfigFlags of SettingsProvider.cpp, there is a possible illegal read due to a missing permission check. This could lead to local information disclosure of config flags with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-10Android ID: A-143299398
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-0178 resides within the SettingsProvider.cpp component of Android 10 operating systems, specifically in the getAllConfigFlags function implementation. This flaw represents a critical permission bypass issue that allows unauthorized access to sensitive configuration flags without requiring any additional privileges or user interaction. The vulnerability stems from a missing permission check within the code logic, creating an illegal read condition that exposes internal system configuration data to potentially malicious actors.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within the category of information disclosure flaws, specifically categorized under CWE-200 (Information Exposure) and potentially CWE-284 (Improper Access Control). The flaw occurs when the getAllConfigFlags function fails to validate whether the calling process possesses adequate permissions before returning configuration flag data. This missing validation creates a scenario where any local process can access system-level configuration information that should normally be restricted to privileged components or system services.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables local information disclosure of configuration flags that may contain sensitive system parameters, security settings, or operational configurations that could aid in further exploitation attempts. The lack of requirement for additional execution privileges means that even unprivileged applications or processes running on the device can potentially access this sensitive data. This represents a significant risk to system integrity and confidentiality, as the disclosed configuration flags might reveal implementation details that could be leveraged by attackers to craft more sophisticated attacks or identify other potential weaknesses in the system's security posture.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates opportunities for privilege escalation and system compromise through the exploitation of the missing permission checks. Attackers could use the disclosed configuration information to understand system behaviors, identify security mechanisms, or discover other vulnerabilities that could be exploited in combination with this flaw. The ATT&CK framework would categorize this vulnerability under T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and potentially T1068 (Local Privilege Escalation) as it enables unauthorized access to system resources that could lead to further compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper permission validation within the SettingsProvider.cpp component, ensuring that the getAllConfigFlags function performs adequate access control checks before returning any configuration data. Android security patches would typically address this by enforcing stricter permission requirements for accessing system configuration flags, requiring appropriate system-level privileges or SELinux contexts before allowing access to sensitive data. Organizations should also implement comprehensive monitoring of system calls and access patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain up-to-date security patches to prevent unauthorized access to system configuration information.