CVE-2020-0311 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In InputManagerService, 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-153878642
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/19/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-0311 resides within the InputManagerService component of Android operating systems, specifically affecting Android 11 builds. This issue represents a critical permission bypass flaw that stems from the improper handling of PendingIntent objects within the system's input management framework. The vulnerability manifests when the system processes certain input events through PendingIntent mechanisms that lack proper security checks, creating an avenue for unauthorized access to sensitive information.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability can be traced to CWE-264, which addresses permissions, privileges, and access controls within software systems. The InputManagerService fails to properly validate the security context of PendingIntents when processing input events, allowing malicious applications or processes with user-level execution privileges to bypass normal access controls. This unsafe PendingIntent usage creates a pathway where unauthorized code can potentially access information that should be restricted to privileged system components or specific applications. The flaw operates at the system level within Android's framework, specifically targeting how input events are processed and dispatched through the PendingIntent mechanism.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables local information disclosure attacks that require only user execution privileges to exploit successfully. The attack vector does not necessitate user interaction, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered automatically when input events occur within the system. An attacker with user-level access can leverage this flaw to extract sensitive data that would normally be protected by the system's permission model. The impact extends beyond simple data exposure, potentially allowing for further escalation of privileges or access to system resources that should remain protected from user-space applications.
The security implications of CVE-2020-0311 align with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and T1005, covering "Data from Local System." This vulnerability allows adversaries to perform information gathering without requiring additional attack vectors or user interaction. The flaw essentially undermines the Android security model's principle of least privilege by enabling unauthorized access to system information through legitimate input processing pathways. Organizations and users should be particularly concerned about this vulnerability as it represents a fundamental breakdown in the Android permission system's ability to enforce access controls for system-level input processing.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate deployment of security patches provided by Google through the Android Security Bulletin, as well as monitoring for suspicious input event processing patterns. System administrators should ensure that all Android devices are updated to the latest security patches, particularly those addressing the InputManagerService. Additional protective measures include implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict which applications can process input events, monitoring for abnormal PendingIntent usage patterns, and conducting regular security audits of system-level components. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper PendingIntent validation and the need for comprehensive security testing of system services that handle user input, particularly in environments where multiple applications may interact with system-level processing components.