CVE-2020-0282 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In NFC, there is a possible out of bounds read due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to remote information disclosure. System execution privileges, a Firmware compromise, and User interaction are needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-11Android ID: A-144506224
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/19/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-0282 resides within the Near Field Communication (NFC) subsystem of Android operating systems, specifically affecting Android 11 builds. This issue represents a critical security flaw that stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the NFC processing pipeline. The vulnerability manifests as a missing bounds check during NFC data handling operations, creating a potential out-of-bounds read condition that can be exploited by malicious actors. The flaw is categorized under CWE-129 as an "Improper Validation of Array Index" which directly impacts the integrity of memory access controls within the NFC framework. The vulnerability requires three distinct privilege levels for successful exploitation: system execution privileges to leverage the underlying NFC functionality, firmware compromise to potentially manipulate the system state, and user interaction to trigger the malicious NFC payload. This multi-layered requirement for exploitation demonstrates the sophisticated nature of the attack vector, as it necessitates both system-level access and user engagement to achieve full compromise. The potential impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it could enable attackers to extract sensitive data from memory regions that should remain protected. The Android ID A-144506224 specifically tracks this vulnerability within Google's internal tracking systems, indicating its significance in the Android security ecosystem. When exploited, the out-of-bounds read could potentially expose kernel memory contents, including sensitive cryptographic keys, authentication tokens, or other confidential information that resides in memory regions accessible through the NFC subsystem. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.005 which covers "Command and Scripting Interpreter: Visual Basic", though in this context it relates more to the exploitation of NFC command processing rather than traditional scripting. The memory corruption aspect of this vulnerability places it within the broader category of memory safety issues that have historically led to privilege escalation and system compromise. The requirement for firmware compromise suggests that attackers may need to first gain access to the device's bootloader or system firmware to establish a persistent foothold before leveraging this NFC vulnerability. This multi-stage attack approach increases the complexity of exploitation while simultaneously raising the potential impact of successful compromise. The vulnerability's presence in Android 11 indicates that it affects the latest generation of Android devices at the time of discovery, highlighting the ongoing security challenges faced by mobile operating system vendors in maintaining secure NFC implementations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the NFC subsystem's data parsing logic where incoming NFC messages are processed without proper validation of array bounds. When the NFC framework receives malformed or specially crafted NFC data, it fails to validate the length or size parameters before accessing memory locations, leading to the out-of-bounds read condition. This particular flaw demonstrates a classic memory safety issue that has plagued mobile operating systems for years, with similar vulnerabilities having been discovered in other mobile platforms and embedded systems. The missing bounds check represents a fundamental failure in input validation that allows attackers to manipulate memory access patterns through carefully constructed NFC payloads. The vulnerability's exploitation requires that the attacker first establish a foothold through firmware compromise, which could involve techniques such as bootkit installation or exploitation of other vulnerabilities in the device's boot chain. Once system execution privileges are obtained, the attacker can leverage the NFC subsystem to trigger the out-of-bounds read condition, potentially accessing sensitive kernel memory regions. The user interaction requirement ensures that the attack must be initiated by the victim, typically through NFC handoff or connection establishment, which provides a natural attack vector while also requiring social engineering or physical proximity for successful exploitation. The information disclosure potential is significant as the out-of-bounds read could expose memory contents that include sensitive cryptographic material, authentication credentials, or other confidential information that could be used for further attacks. The vulnerability's impact is further amplified by its potential to enable privilege escalation, as attackers who can read kernel memory may be able to extract information that allows them to bypass security controls or escalate their privileges within the system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-0282 must address the fundamental security flaws within the NFC subsystem while also considering the multi-layered attack requirements. The primary recommendation involves implementing comprehensive bounds checking mechanisms throughout the NFC data processing pipeline to prevent out-of-bounds memory access. Device manufacturers should prioritize updating their Android implementations with patches that address the missing validation checks and ensure proper memory bounds enforcement. Security researchers should also consider implementing runtime monitoring for suspicious NFC data processing patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The firmware compromise requirement necessitates robust firmware security measures including secure boot implementations, firmware integrity checks, and protection against unauthorized firmware modifications. Device users should be educated about the risks of connecting to unknown NFC devices and should be encouraged to keep their systems updated with the latest security patches. The vulnerability's classification as a memory safety issue aligns with industry best practices for secure coding standards that emphasize input validation and bounds checking. Organizations should implement network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous NFC traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The patching process should include thorough regression testing to ensure that NFC functionality remains intact while addressing the security vulnerability. Additionally, security teams should monitor for any attempts to exploit this vulnerability through other attack vectors that might leverage similar memory safety issues within the system. The implementation of these mitigations should follow established security frameworks and standards including those defined by NIST and other cybersecurity organizations to ensure comprehensive protection against this and similar vulnerabilities. Regular security audits of NFC implementations should be conducted to identify and address potential memory safety issues before they can be exploited by malicious actors.