CVE-2020-0335 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In NFC, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with System execution privileges and a Firmware compromise needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-11Android ID: A-122361504
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/19/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-0335 resides within the Near Field Communication subsystem of Android operating systems, specifically affecting Android 11 builds. This issue represents a critical security flaw that stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the NFC processing pipeline. The vulnerability manifests as a missing bounds check during memory allocation operations, creating an exploitable condition that allows for unauthorized memory manipulation.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within the category of buffer overflow conditions, specifically an out-of-bounds write flaw that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The flaw occurs during NFC data processing when the system fails to properly validate the size or boundaries of incoming data packets before attempting to write to memory locations. This missing validation creates a predictable exploitation vector that adversaries can utilize to overwrite critical memory regions.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe threat landscape as it enables local privilege escalation to system level privileges, effectively allowing an attacker to gain complete control over the device's firmware and underlying system operations. The exploitation requires only a local attacker with access to the device, eliminating the need for network-based attacks or user interaction. The requirement for firmware compromise indicates that the attack vector can potentially lead to persistent rootkit-like behavior that could survive device reboots and system updates.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it fundamentally compromises the integrity of the device's security model. Attackers can leverage this condition to modify critical system components, install malicious software, or extract sensitive data from the device's secure storage areas. This flaw essentially undermines the core security boundaries that protect Android devices from unauthorized access and manipulation, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where device security is paramount.
Security practitioners should recognize this vulnerability as aligning with CWE-129, which specifically addresses insufficient bounds checking in software systems, and it maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation'. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper memory management and input validation in mobile operating systems, particularly in subsystems that handle external data inputs such as NFC communications. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including system updates, device lockdown procedures, and enhanced monitoring for suspicious memory access patterns. The vulnerability also highlights the necessity of comprehensive security testing for all system components that process external inputs, emphasizing the need for robust boundary checking mechanisms throughout the software development lifecycle to prevent similar issues from emerging in future releases.