CVE-2020-0183 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In handleMessage of BluetoothManagerService, there is an incomplete reset. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-10Android ID: A-110181479
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-0183 resides within the BluetoothManagerService component of Android 10 operating systems, representing a critical security flaw that could enable local privilege escalation without requiring additional execution privileges. This vulnerability specifically manifests in the handleMessage method where an incomplete reset operation occurs, creating a potential attack vector for malicious actors who can leverage this weakness to elevate their privileges within the system. The issue stems from improper handling of Bluetooth message processing that fails to fully reset the service state, leaving behind potentially exploitable conditions that persist beyond normal operational boundaries.
The technical flaw in CVE-2020-0183 operates through a combination of improper state management and insufficient reset procedures within the Bluetooth service framework. When the BluetoothManagerService processes messages through its handleMessage method, it fails to completely reset internal variables and service states, allowing remnants of previous operations to persist. This incomplete reset creates a scenario where an attacker can manipulate the service state to gain elevated privileges, as the system does not properly clear or reinitialize critical components during message handling. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the system level where Bluetooth services typically have elevated permissions, making the privilege escalation possible with minimal user interaction requirements.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to Android 10 devices as it allows for local privilege escalation without requiring additional execution privileges or user interaction beyond initial access. The attack vector becomes more dangerous when considering that Bluetooth services often run with elevated privileges and have access to sensitive system resources. The incomplete reset condition could potentially allow attackers to modify system configurations, access protected data, or execute malicious code with higher privileges than initially granted. This makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors who may use it as a stepping stone for more extensive system compromise, especially in environments where Bluetooth functionality is frequently utilized.
The security implications of CVE-2020-0183 align with CWE-665 Improper Initialization and ATT&CK technique T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation. The improper initialization of service states during message handling creates a persistent vulnerability that can be exploited to gain elevated privileges, while the incomplete reset behavior directly maps to exploitation techniques used in privilege escalation attacks. Organizations should consider implementing immediate mitigations including system updates and patches provided by Google, as well as monitoring for suspicious Bluetooth-related activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. Network administrators should also review Bluetooth service configurations and consider disabling unnecessary Bluetooth functionality when not actively required. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper state management in system services and highlights the need for comprehensive testing of service reset procedures to prevent similar issues in other components.