CVE-2020-0238 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In updatePreferenceIntents of AccountTypePreferenceLoader, there is a possible confused deputy attack due to a race condition. This could lead to local escalation of privilege and launching privileged activities with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-8.1 Android-9 Android-10 Android-8.0Android ID: A-150946634
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/12/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-0238 represents a critical security flaw in the Android operating system's account management subsystem, specifically within the AccountTypePreferenceLoader component. This issue stems from a confused deputy attack vector that exploits a race condition during the updatePreferenceIntents process, allowing malicious actors to manipulate system preferences and potentially gain elevated privileges. The vulnerability affects multiple Android versions including 8.0, 8.1, 9, and 10, making it a widespread concern across the Android ecosystem. The confusion arises from the improper handling of inter-process communication where a malicious application can exploit the timing window between preference updates to inject unauthorized intents, effectively bypassing normal security boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a race condition within the AccountTypePreferenceLoader's updatePreferenceIntents method where the system fails to properly validate intent sources during concurrent preference updates. This race condition creates a window of opportunity where an attacker can manipulate the preference loading process to execute malicious code with system-level privileges. The flaw operates under the CWE-362 weakness category, specifically addressing concurrent execution issues that can lead to privilege escalation. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require user interaction, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered automatically without any user consent or awareness, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1068 for privilege escalation through local exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential unauthorized system access and privilege abuse. Attackers can leverage this flaw to launch privileged activities without requiring additional execution privileges, effectively allowing them to perform actions that should be restricted to system-level processes. The vulnerability's potential for local privilege escalation means that malicious applications could gain access to sensitive system functions, user data, and potentially compromise the entire device. This type of attack can result in persistent backdoors, data exfiltration, and complete device compromise, particularly concerning given that the flaw affects such a fundamental system component as account management and preference handling. The attack surface is significant as it targets core Android system functionality that is essential for device operation and user authentication, making it a prime target for sophisticated attackers seeking persistent access to mobile devices.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-0238 should focus on implementing proper synchronization mechanisms within the AccountTypePreferenceLoader component to eliminate the race condition vulnerability. Android security patches addressing this issue typically involve strengthening intent validation procedures and ensuring proper access controls during preference updates. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of security updates and patches provided by Google, as the vulnerability's exploitation can occur without user interaction, making it particularly dangerous in environments where devices may be compromised through various attack vectors. System administrators should also consider implementing additional monitoring and detection measures to identify potential exploitation attempts, while security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to ensure all affected Android devices within their environments are properly updated and secured against this specific confused deputy attack pattern.