CVE-2020-0246 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 10/14/2020
In getCarrierPrivilegeStatus of UiccAccessRule.java, there is a missing permission check. This could lead to local information disclosure of EID data with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-10 Android-11Android ID: A-159062405
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/19/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-0246 resides within the Android operating system's telecommunications framework, specifically in the UiccAccessRule.java component that manages carrier privilege status checks. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that allows unauthorized access to EID (Equipment Identifier) data through a missing permission validation mechanism. The vulnerability manifests in Android versions 10 and 11, affecting the core telecommunications infrastructure that governs how mobile devices interact with SIM cards and carrier services. The issue stems from insufficient authorization controls that should normally prevent unauthorized applications from accessing sensitive carrier-related information.
The technical implementation flaw occurs in the getCarrierPrivilegeStatus method where the system fails to properly validate whether the requesting application possesses the necessary permissions before granting access to EID data. This missing permission check creates an unauthorized access vector that bypasses the normal security boundaries established by the Android permission model. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates without requiring any user interaction or additional execution privileges, making it highly exploitable in scenarios where malicious applications can leverage this weakness to extract sensitive information. The EID data represents critical device identification information that could potentially be used for device tracking, fraud prevention, or other malicious activities.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability compromises the confidentiality of sensitive telecommunications data that should remain protected within the secure execution environment of the Android system. Attackers can exploit this weakness to obtain EID information without needing elevated privileges or user consent, potentially enabling them to track device usage patterns, perform device-specific attacks, or conduct targeted fraud operations. The lack of user interaction requirements means that exploitation can occur silently in the background, making detection and prevention significantly more challenging. This vulnerability directly impacts the Android security model's principle of least privilege, where applications should only access resources for which they have explicit authorization.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege that forms the foundation of Android's security architecture. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this weakness maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and credential access, specifically targeting the T1068 (Local Privilege Escalation) and T1552 (Credentials in Files) tactics. The vulnerability's impact is further exacerbated by the fact that EID data is considered sensitive information that should be protected from unauthorized access. Organizations and device manufacturers should implement immediate mitigations including applying security patches, monitoring for suspicious access patterns, and ensuring proper permission enforcement mechanisms are in place. The flaw demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining robust permission checking mechanisms within system-level components that handle sensitive telecommunications data.