CVE-2020-0327 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In core networking, there is a missing permission check. This could lead to local information disclosure of app network usage with User execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-11Android ID: A-129151407
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/21/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-0327 represents a critical permission check deficiency within Android's core networking subsystem that enables unauthorized information disclosure. This flaw exists in Android 11 operating system versions and is classified as a local privilege escalation issue requiring only user-level execution privileges to exploit. The vulnerability stems from insufficient authorization controls that fail to properly validate network usage data access requests, allowing malicious applications to potentially access network statistics and usage information belonging to other applications. The Android ID A-129151407 specifically identifies this issue within the platform's networking framework where proper access controls should have been enforced but were absent. This missing permission validation creates a pathway for information disclosure that could reveal sensitive network behavior patterns and application connectivity data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability lies in the core networking components where Android's system services fail to enforce proper access controls when processing network usage queries. The flaw manifests when applications attempt to retrieve network statistics or usage information without adequate permission verification. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-284 which specifically addresses improper access control mechanisms, where insufficient authorization checks allow unauthorized access to protected resources. The vulnerability operates at the system level within Android's networking stack, where legitimate network usage data access should be restricted to authorized components but instead permits broader access than intended. The absence of proper permission validation creates a security boundary failure that allows local applications to bypass normal access restrictions and obtain information they should not be able to access.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-0327 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as network usage data can reveal sensitive behavioral patterns and application connectivity information that adversaries could leverage for further attacks. An attacker with user-level privileges can exploit this vulnerability to gather detailed information about other applications' network activities, potentially identifying security vulnerabilities in those applications or mapping out network behavior for more sophisticated attacks. This information could be used to understand application dependencies, identify potential attack vectors, or even support social engineering efforts by revealing which applications are actively communicating with specific networks or services. The vulnerability affects the fundamental integrity of Android's networking security model, potentially compromising the confidentiality of network usage information across all applications running on the device.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-0327 should focus on implementing proper access control enforcement within Android's networking components and ensuring that all network usage queries undergo rigorous permission validation. Organizations should apply the latest Android security patches and updates immediately upon availability, as Google has addressed this vulnerability through system updates. System administrators should implement application whitelisting policies to limit which applications can access network usage information and monitor for unusual network activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, indicating that exploitation could lead to broader system compromise. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments of their Android environments to identify similar permission check deficiencies and ensure that proper access controls are maintained across all system components.