CVE-2020-0344 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In MediaProvider, there is a possible permissions bypass due to SQL injection. This could lead to local information disclosure with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-11Android ID: A-140729887
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/18/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-0344 resides within the MediaProvider component of Android operating systems, specifically affecting Android 11 and earlier versions. This issue represents a critical permissions bypass flaw that stems from improper input validation within the SQL query processing mechanism. The vulnerability manifests as a SQL injection vulnerability that allows unauthorized access to media content stored on the device, potentially exposing sensitive user data without requiring any additional privileges or user interaction for exploitation.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the MediaProvider's handling of database queries where user-supplied input is not properly sanitized before being incorporated into SQL statements. When applications interact with the MediaProvider to access media files, the system processes these requests through database queries that may inadvertently include malicious input. This SQL injection flaw enables attackers to manipulate the database queries and extract information that should otherwise be restricted by the system's permission model. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws in software systems. The attack vector operates entirely within the local system context, meaning that an attacker does not require network access or user interaction to exploit this vulnerability, as the malicious SQL commands can be executed directly through the MediaProvider interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it represents a fundamental breakdown in Android's permission model for media access. An attacker with local access to a device could potentially extract metadata, file paths, or even content from media files stored in the system's media database. This could lead to exposure of personal photos, videos, audio recordings, and other sensitive media content that users expect to remain private. The vulnerability affects all applications that rely on the MediaProvider component for accessing media files, making it particularly dangerous as it could be exploited by any application with local access to the device. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which involves the use of local system privileges to bypass security controls, and T1074 which covers data staging through local system access points. The lack of user interaction requirement makes this vulnerability particularly concerning as it can be exploited silently in the background without any warning to the user.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate system updates from Google, as the fix involves patching the MediaProvider component to properly sanitize SQL inputs and implement stricter validation of database queries. Organizations should ensure that all Android devices are updated to the latest security patches, particularly those released after the vulnerability disclosure in 2020. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing network-level monitoring to detect unusual database access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation in database operations and the need for robust permission checking mechanisms within system components. Security teams should also implement regular vulnerability assessments targeting database interfaces and media handling components to identify similar weaknesses that might exist in other parts of the system architecture. The fix typically involves implementing parameterized queries and proper input sanitization to prevent malicious SQL commands from being executed within the MediaProvider's database processing pipeline.