CVE-2020-0346 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Mediaserver, there is a possible out of bounds write due to an integer overflow. This could lead to local escalation of privilege if integer sanitization were not enabled (which it is by default), with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-11Android ID: A-147002762
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/18/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-0346 resides within the Mediaserver component of Android systems, representing a critical security flaw that could enable local privilege escalation. This issue manifests as an out-of-bounds write condition stemming from an integer overflow within the media processing subsystem. The vulnerability specifically affects Android 11 operating system versions and has been assigned Android ID A-147002762 by Google's security team. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-190, which describes integer overflow conditions that can lead to unexpected behavior and potential exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the Mediaserver processes media files and encounters integer overflow during buffer size calculations. When an integer overflow occurs, the system calculates an incorrect buffer size that exceeds the allocated memory boundaries, resulting in an out-of-bounds write operation. This type of memory corruption can be particularly dangerous because it allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting critical system data structures or executable code. The vulnerability requires no user interaction for exploitation, making it particularly concerning as it can be triggered automatically when media files are processed by the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it enables local privilege escalation under specific conditions. While the vulnerability typically requires the system to be running without integer sanitization, which is enabled by default, the presence of this flaw means that an attacker with local access could potentially elevate their privileges to system level. This represents a significant security risk in environments where local users might have access to media processing capabilities, as it could allow them to gain unauthorized administrative access to the device. The exploitability of this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Local Privilege Escalation' through the exploitation of system vulnerabilities.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve applying the official Android security patches released by Google. These patches address the integer overflow condition by implementing proper bounds checking and sanitization of integer values before memory allocation occurs. System administrators and device manufacturers should prioritize deploying these updates across all affected Android 11 devices. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing additional security controls such as monitoring for unusual memory access patterns and ensuring that integer sanitization features remain enabled. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper input validation and bounds checking in system components that process untrusted data, particularly in media processing systems where malformed input can trigger complex memory operations.