CVE-2020-0206 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In the settings app, there is a possible app crash due to improper input validation. This could lead to local denial of service of the Settings app with User execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-10Android ID: A-136005061
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-0206 resides within the Android Settings application, representing a critical input validation flaw that can be exploited to achieve local denial of service conditions. This issue specifically affects Android 10 operating systems and is catalogued under Android ID A-136005061. The flaw manifests when the Settings application fails to properly validate user inputs, creating a potential crash scenario that can be triggered by malicious or malformed input data. The vulnerability requires only user execution privileges for exploitation, making it particularly concerning as it can be leveraged by any local user without requiring elevated permissions or complex attack vectors.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation as a fundamental weakness in software security. When the Settings application processes input data without adequate validation mechanisms, it becomes susceptible to malformed or unexpected input sequences that can cause the application to terminate abruptly or enter an unstable state. This improper handling of input data creates a path for a denial of service condition where the Settings application becomes unavailable to legitimate users. The vulnerability does not require user interaction for exploitation, meaning that an attacker can trigger the crash automatically without needing to persuade a user to perform specific actions, which significantly increases the attack surface and potential impact.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to device usability and user experience within the Android ecosystem. When the Settings application crashes, users lose access to critical system configuration options and device management features, effectively rendering portions of the device non-functional. The local nature of the vulnerability means that an attacker with user-level privileges can compromise the device's functionality, potentially requiring device restart or system recovery procedures to restore normal operation. This type of denial of service attack can be particularly disruptive in enterprise environments where system stability and availability are paramount. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would fall within the privilege escalation and denial of service categories, as it enables local users to disrupt system services without requiring administrative access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-0206 should focus on implementing robust input validation mechanisms within the Settings application and ensuring that all user-provided data is properly sanitized before processing. Android security updates and patches addressing this vulnerability should be deployed immediately to prevent exploitation. System administrators should monitor for signs of exploitation attempts and implement additional monitoring controls to detect unusual application crash patterns. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation as a fundamental security control and demonstrates how seemingly minor flaws in application logic can result in significant operational impacts. Organizations should also consider implementing application sandboxing and privilege separation techniques to limit the potential damage from such vulnerabilities, while maintaining regular security assessments to identify similar input validation weaknesses in other system components.