CVE-2020-0307 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-151645867
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/19/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-0307 resides within the Android Settings application and represents a critical permission bypass flaw that stems from improper handling of PendingIntent objects. This issue manifests when the system fails to adequately validate the permissions associated with PendingIntent intents, creating an avenue for unauthorized access to sensitive system information. The vulnerability specifically affects Android 11 and is tracked under Android ID A-151645867, indicating its severity and the need for immediate attention from device manufacturers and security professionals.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the unsafe creation and handling of PendingIntent objects within the Settings application framework. A PendingIntent is designed to allow applications to execute operations on behalf of other applications, but when improperly configured, it can be exploited to bypass normal permission checks. This flaw occurs because the system does not sufficiently verify that the calling application has appropriate privileges before allowing the PendingIntent to execute with elevated permissions. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-284 which specifically addresses improper access control mechanisms, making it a direct descendant of weak permission enforcement patterns in mobile operating systems. According to the ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1068 which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' and T1070 which addresses 'Indicator Removal on Host'.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-0307 is significant as it enables local information disclosure with user execution privileges, meaning that any application with standard user-level access can potentially exploit this flaw to gain access to sensitive data that should normally be restricted. This could include system configuration information, user preferences, or other data that should be protected by the Android permission model. The attack vector requires no user interaction, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited automatically without requiring any deliberate action from the user. This automated exploitation capability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 which covers 'Exploitation for Client Execution' and demonstrates how this vulnerability could be leveraged as part of a broader attack chain targeting Android devices. The flaw essentially allows for privilege escalation through a path that should normally be protected by the operating system's permission enforcement mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-0307 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from Google and device manufacturers, as this vulnerability represents a critical security flaw that could be exploited to compromise device integrity. Organizations should implement mobile device management solutions that can monitor for and block suspicious PendingIntent usage patterns, while also ensuring that all Android devices are updated to the latest security patches. The fix typically involves proper validation of PendingIntent objects to ensure that they cannot be used to bypass permission checks, which aligns with security best practices outlined in the OWASP Mobile Top 10 and NIST SP 800-160 standards for secure mobile application development. Additionally, security teams should monitor for any attempts to exploit this vulnerability in the wild and implement network-based detection measures to identify potential exploitation attempts.