CVE-2020-0341 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In DisplayManager, there is a possible permission bypass due to a missing permission check. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-11Android ID: A-144920149
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/18/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-0341 resides within the Android DisplayManager system service, representing a critical permission bypass flaw that enables local privilege escalation. This vulnerability affects Android 11 and is catalogued under Android ID A-144920149, demonstrating how seemingly minor permission oversight can create significant security risks. The flaw specifically manifests in the DisplayManager component's failure to properly validate permissions before executing sensitive operations, creating an exploitable gap in the Android security model.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from a missing permission check within the DisplayManager service, which is responsible for managing display-related functionalities including screen rotation, display properties, and related system operations. When an attacker or malicious application attempts to perform privileged display operations, the system fails to verify whether the requesting entity possesses the appropriate authorization levels. This missing validation allows unauthorized processes to execute display management functions that should be restricted to system-level components or applications with specific permissions. The vulnerability operates at the system service level, where proper access controls should enforce strict authorization boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to represent a complete breakdown in Android's security model enforcement. An attacker with local access can leverage this flaw to gain elevated privileges without requiring any additional execution capabilities or user interaction, making the exploit particularly dangerous. The vulnerability creates a persistent backdoor that allows malicious actors to execute arbitrary code with system-level privileges, potentially enabling complete system compromise. This type of local privilege escalation is classified under CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through system weaknesses.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-0341 should focus on immediate patch application as provided by Google through Android security updates, while also implementing comprehensive monitoring of display-related system calls. Organizations should consider implementing additional security controls such as runtime application protection, enhanced permission monitoring, and regular security audits of system services. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and access control mechanisms, particularly in system-level services that handle sensitive operations. Security teams should also implement behavioral monitoring to detect anomalous display management activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability underscores the necessity of thorough permission validation across all system components and demonstrates how a single missing permission check can undermine the entire security architecture.