CVE-2020-0269 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Android Auto Settings, there is a possible permission bypass due to an unsafe PendingIntent. This could lead to local information disclosure with User execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-11Android ID: A-151645626
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/19/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-0269 resides within the Android Auto Settings component of the Android operating system, specifically affecting Android 11 releases. This security flaw represents a permission bypass issue that stems from the improper handling of PendingIntent objects within the system's settings framework. The vulnerability manifests when an application attempts to create a PendingIntent that lacks proper security checks, allowing malicious actors to potentially escalate their privileges and access restricted system information. The underlying technical issue lies in the unsafe creation of PendingIntent objects that do not adequately validate the calling application's permissions before executing sensitive operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it enables attackers with local execution privileges to bypass intended security boundaries within the Android Auto Settings subsystem. This permission bypass occurs through the manipulation of PendingIntent objects that are designed to execute specific actions within the system context. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to sensitive user data and system information that should normally be restricted to authorized applications or system processes. The vulnerability's classification as a local information disclosure means that successful exploitation requires only local execution privileges, eliminating the need for complex remote attack vectors or user interaction. This characteristic makes the vulnerability particularly concerning as it can be exploited by any application running with basic user privileges on the device.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with common patterns found in Android permission system flaws, particularly those categorized under CWE-284: Improper Access Control. The unsafe PendingIntent creation represents a failure in the principle of least privilege, where system components do not properly validate the security context of the calling application before executing potentially sensitive operations. This weakness creates an attack surface that can be leveraged to bypass Android's security model, which normally enforces strict boundaries between different application contexts and system services. The vulnerability demonstrates how improper handling of inter-process communication mechanisms can undermine the fundamental security architecture of mobile operating systems, particularly when dealing with system-level settings and configuration components.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-0269 should focus on implementing proper PendingIntent validation mechanisms and strengthening the permission checking infrastructure within Android Auto Settings. System administrators and developers should ensure that all PendingIntent objects are created with appropriate security flags and that the calling application's permissions are thoroughly validated before executing any sensitive operations. The Android security team addressed this vulnerability through system updates that enforced stricter validation of PendingIntent objects within the settings framework, requiring proper intent resolution and permission verification before allowing execution of privileged operations. Organizations should implement comprehensive security monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and ensure that all Android devices receive timely security updates to address this and similar permission bypass vulnerabilities. The remediation process involves updating the Android Auto Settings component to properly enforce access controls and validate the security context of all incoming requests, effectively closing the gap that allowed unauthorized information disclosure through the unsafe PendingIntent implementation.