CVE-2020-0366 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In PackageInstaller, there is a possible permissions bypass due to a tapjacking vulnerability. This could lead to local escalation of privilege using an app set as the default Assist app with User execution privileges needed. User interaction is needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-11Android ID: A-138443815
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/18/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-0366 resides within the PackageInstaller component of Android operating systems, specifically affecting Android 11 builds. This security flaw represents a critical permission bypass vulnerability that stems from a tapjacking attack vector, allowing malicious actors to exploit weaknesses in the system's permission handling mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically impacts the default Assist app functionality, creating a pathway for local privilege escalation that requires only user interaction to be successfully exploited.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a tapjacking attack that manipulates user interactions within the PackageInstaller interface. When an application is configured as the default Assist app, it gains elevated privileges that can be leveraged to bypass normal permission boundaries. The tapjacking mechanism exploits the way Android handles touch events and user interaction prompts, allowing attackers to simulate user actions that would normally require explicit user consent. This flaw operates at the system level where the Assist app's elevated privileges can be abused to gain deeper system access than intended by the Android security model.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-0366 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, creating potential for significant system compromise when combined with user interaction requirements. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by tricking users into interacting with maliciously crafted interfaces that appear legitimate but actually execute unauthorized actions within the PackageInstaller context. The requirement for user execution privileges means that exploitation is not entirely automated, but the ease with which users can be deceived through social engineering or deceptive UI elements makes this threat quite real. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and undermines the Android security architecture's fundamental assumptions about user interaction and permission boundaries.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-691, which addresses insufficient control of a resource through a privileged process, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers Exploitation for Privilege Escalation. The attack vector represents a sophisticated approach to bypassing Android's security model by leveraging the trust relationships between system components and user interfaces. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched Android versions, monitoring for suspicious Assist app configurations, and educating users about the risks of granting default app permissions. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure interaction design principles and the need for robust input validation within system-level applications that handle user permissions and privilege escalation scenarios.