CVE-2020-0233 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In main of main.cpp, there is possible memory corruption due to a use after free. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android kernelAndroid ID: A-150225255
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-0233 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within the Android kernel's main.cpp component that manifests as a use-after-free condition. This type of vulnerability occurs when a program continues to reference memory locations after they have been freed, creating opportunities for malicious code to manipulate the system's memory state. The flaw exists in the kernel level implementation where improper memory management practices allow for memory regions to be accessed beyond their intended lifecycle, creating a potential attack surface for privilege escalation.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within the Common Weakness Enumeration category of CWE-416, which specifically addresses Use After Free conditions. This weakness class involves accessing memory after it has been freed by the program, potentially leading to undefined behavior, crashes, or more seriously in this case, privilege escalation. The vulnerability's classification as a kernel-level issue means that exploitation can occur without requiring any additional execution privileges beyond what is normally available to a standard user or application context. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by attackers to gain elevated system privileges without needing to first compromise other security boundaries.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-0233 extends beyond simple memory corruption to represent a serious threat to system integrity and user security. The local privilege escalation capability means that an attacker with minimal privileges could potentially elevate their access level to that of the system root user, gaining complete control over the device. This vulnerability affects Android kernel implementations and is tracked under Android ID A-150225255, indicating its specific relevance to the Android operating system's kernel security model. The lack of requirement for user interaction makes this vulnerability particularly concerning as it can be exploited automatically without any need for social engineering or user deception techniques.
The exploitation of this vulnerability follows patterns consistent with the MITRE ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation tactics, specifically targeting kernel-level weaknesses to achieve system-level control. The use-after-free condition creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate heap memory structures, potentially leading to code execution or data corruption that can be leveraged for privilege elevation. Security researchers have noted that such kernel-level vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they operate at the core of system security, making them ideal targets for attackers seeking persistent access to devices. The vulnerability's presence in the main.cpp file suggests that the issue originates from core system functionality, making it more fundamental and harder to patch without broader system modifications. Organizations and users should prioritize patching this vulnerability as it represents a direct threat to device security and could enable attackers to establish persistent backdoors or access sensitive user data.