CVE-2020-0372 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In ActivityManager, there is a possible access to protected data due to a missing permission check. 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-119673147
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/18/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-0372 resides within the ActivityManager component of Android operating systems, specifically affecting Android 11 and other versions. This represents a critical security flaw that stems from inadequate permission validation mechanisms within the system's core activity management services. The vulnerability manifests as a missing permission check that allows unauthorized access to protected data, creating a pathway for information disclosure without requiring additional execution privileges or user interaction.
This security weakness operates at the system level within Android's permission model, where the ActivityManager fails to properly validate whether requesting processes have adequate authorization to access specific protected data. The flaw essentially creates a privilege escalation vector through which malicious applications or processes can bypass normal access controls. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it does not require user interaction, meaning exploitation can occur automatically when the affected system components are accessed, making it highly dangerous in automated attack scenarios.
The technical impact of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which describes improper access control issues where insufficient permission checks allow unauthorized access to protected resources. This misconfiguration enables local information disclosure, where attackers can extract sensitive data that should normally be restricted to authorized processes only. The absence of proper permission verification within the ActivityManager component creates a persistent security gap that affects the integrity of Android's application sandboxing mechanisms and overall system security posture.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability represents a significant risk to Android devices as it allows for unauthorized data access without requiring additional privileges or user engagement. The exploitability is enhanced by the fact that no additional execution privileges are needed, meaning that even applications with limited permissions could potentially access protected system information. This could lead to exposure of sensitive user data, application state information, or system configuration details that should remain protected.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-0372 should focus on implementing proper permission validation within the ActivityManager component and ensuring that all data access requests undergo adequate authorization checks. Android security updates and patches should address the missing permission validation by strengthening the permission model and enforcing proper access controls. Organizations should also implement monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized access attempts and maintain updated security configurations that align with industry best practices for mobile security management.
This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper access control implementation in operating system components and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of core system services. The issue connects to broader ATT&CK framework concepts related to privilege escalation and credential access, where attackers can leverage missing permission checks to gain unauthorized access to protected system resources. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability as part of broader mobile security assessments and ensure that system components maintain proper isolation and access controls to prevent unauthorized data exposure.