CVE-2020-0262 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In WiFi tethering, there is a possible attacker controlled intent due to an unsafe PendingIntent. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with User execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-11Android ID: A-156353008
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/18/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-0262 resides within Android's WiFi tethering functionality and represents a critical security flaw that enables local privilege escalation. This issue stems from an unsafe PendingIntent implementation that allows malicious actors to craft attacker-controlled intents, thereby compromising the system's integrity. The vulnerability specifically affects Android 11 and is tracked under Android ID A-156353008, demonstrating the severity and widespread impact of such flaws in mobile operating systems.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of PendingIntent objects within the WiFi tethering subsystem. A PendingIntent is an encapsulation of an intent that can be executed at a later time, typically used for background operations. In this case, the system fails to properly validate or sanitize the intent parameters, allowing an attacker with user-level execution privileges to manipulate the PendingIntent structure. This unsafe implementation creates a pathway for privilege escalation where unprivileged code can potentially execute with elevated privileges, effectively bypassing normal security boundaries. The vulnerability operates under CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) conditions, as the PendingIntent mechanism becomes vulnerable to unauthorized manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it requires only user execution privileges for exploitation, making it particularly dangerous in real-world scenarios. Unlike many vulnerabilities that require user interaction or specific conditions, this flaw can be triggered automatically through malicious applications or compromised user sessions. The local escalation of privilege means that an attacker can gain system-level access without needing physical device access or complex attack vectors. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers "Local Privilege Escalation," and represents a clear pathway for adversaries to elevate their privileges within the Android environment.
Security implications extend beyond simple privilege escalation as this vulnerability could enable attackers to access sensitive system resources, modify critical system files, or establish persistent backdoors. The WiFi tethering functionality becomes a vector for exploitation since it typically operates with elevated permissions to manage network connections. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gain full control over device networking capabilities, potentially intercepting or manipulating network traffic. Mitigation strategies should focus on proper PendingIntent validation, implementation of secure coding practices, and regular security updates to patch such vulnerabilities in mobile operating systems. Organizations should also implement mobile device management solutions that can detect and prevent exploitation attempts while maintaining operational security protocols.