CVE-2020-0302 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In 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-151646375
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/19/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-0302 resides within the Android Settings application and represents a critical permission bypass flaw that leverages unsafe PendingIntent handling. This issue manifests in Android 11 systems and is tracked under Android ID A-151646375. The vulnerability stems from improper validation of PendingIntent objects within the Settings framework, creating an avenue for unauthorized access to sensitive system information.
The technical root cause involves the improper construction or handling of PendingIntent objects that are used to launch system components or services within the Settings application. When these PendingIntents are created without proper security checks or flags, they can be manipulated by malicious applications to execute arbitrary code or access restricted system functions. The vulnerability specifically targets the permission model implementation within Android's Settings component, allowing an attacker with user-level execution privileges to bypass normal access controls.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables local information disclosure attacks where an attacker can extract sensitive data from the device without requiring user interaction. The exploit requires only user execution privileges, meaning that any application running with standard user permissions could potentially leverage this flaw. This represents a significant security risk as it allows for privilege escalation and data exfiltration within the confines of the device's local environment. The vulnerability affects the fundamental security model of Android's Settings application and could potentially be chained with other exploits to achieve more severe outcomes.
The impact of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-264, which addresses permissions, privileges, and access controls in software systems. This weakness specifically manifests as an improper handling of security-sensitive objects that should be protected from unauthorized access. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, particularly targeting the "Modify System Image" and "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" tactics. The vulnerability represents a classic example of how insecure object handling can undermine system security boundaries, allowing local applications to access information that should remain protected.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-0302 should focus on implementing proper PendingIntent validation and security flag enforcement within the Settings application. Android security patches typically address this by ensuring that PendingIntents are created with appropriate flags such as FLAG_IMMUTABLE or FLAG_MUTABLE, and by implementing stricter validation of intent parameters. Organizations should ensure that all Android devices are updated to the latest security patches, particularly those addressing Settings component vulnerabilities. Additionally, application developers should implement proper security controls when creating or handling PendingIntents, following best practices that include using immutable flags for intents that should not be modified by third parties. Regular security audits of system components and proper input validation mechanisms should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future versions of the Android operating system.