CVE-2020-0276 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Telephony, there is a possible permission bypass due to a missing permission check. This could lead to local information disclosure with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-11Android ID: A-156253586
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/19/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-0276 resides within the Telephony subsystem of Android operating systems, specifically affecting Android 11 builds. This issue represents a critical permission bypass flaw that undermines the security model of the platform by allowing unauthorized access to sensitive telephony information. The vulnerability stems from a missing permission check within the telephony framework, creating a pathway for malicious actors to extract confidential data without requiring additional execution privileges or user interaction. This type of vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and could potentially expose sensitive communication data to unauthorized parties.
The technical flaw manifests as an insufficient validation mechanism within the telephony service components that should enforce proper access controls. When applications attempt to access certain telephony-related information, the system fails to properly verify whether the requesting application possesses the necessary permissions to perform such operations. This missing permission check creates a security gap that can be exploited by malicious applications or processes running with lower privileges to gain access to telephony data that should be restricted. The vulnerability operates at the system level where telephony services interface with application components, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged to extract information such as call logs, SMS data, or other sensitive communication metadata.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to user privacy and data security. The local information disclosure aspect means that attackers can access sensitive telephony data without requiring physical access to the device or elevated privileges beyond what is typically granted to standard applications. The absence of user interaction requirements makes this vulnerability particularly concerning as it can be exploited automatically without any user awareness or consent. The impact extends beyond simple data exposure to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks such as social engineering campaigns, surveillance operations, or further exploitation of the device. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-284 which addresses improper access control and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which covers command and scripting interpreter for information gathering activities.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve implementing proper permission checking mechanisms within the telephony framework and ensuring that all access to sensitive telephony data requires appropriate authorization. Android security patches addressing this vulnerability typically include enhanced permission validation checks and stricter enforcement of access controls within the telephony services. System administrators and device manufacturers should prioritize applying the relevant security updates and patches as soon as they become available. Additionally, users should be educated about the importance of keeping their devices updated and should avoid installing untrusted applications that might attempt to exploit such permission bypass vulnerabilities. The fix should implement comprehensive access control mechanisms that validate permissions at multiple levels and ensure that sensitive telephony data remains protected from unauthorized access attempts.