CVE-2020-0375 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Telephony, there is a possible permission bypass due to a missing permission check. This could lead to local escalation of privilege and the setting of supported EUICC countries with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-11Android ID: A-156253476
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/18/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-0375 resides within the Telephony subsystem of Android operating systems, specifically affecting Android 11 and earlier versions. This issue represents a critical permission bypass flaw that undermines the security model of the Android platform. The vulnerability stems from a missing permission check within the telephony framework, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system's access controls. The affected component is part of the Android framework's cellular communication infrastructure, which manages SIM card operations and EUICC (Embedded Universal Integrated Circuit Card) functionality. The flaw allows for unauthorized modification of supported EUICC countries, which are critical parameters that define the geographical regions where cellular services can be activated and utilized.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which describes improper access control mechanisms within software systems. The missing permission check creates an unauthorized access vector that enables local privilege escalation without requiring any user interaction or additional execution privileges. This means that a malicious application running with standard user permissions could potentially elevate its privileges to system level, gaining access to sensitive telephony functions and system resources. The exploitation process leverages the absence of proper authorization validation when setting supported EUICC countries, which are typically restricted to system-level components and trusted applications. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in Android's permission model where the telephony service fails to verify whether the requesting entity has appropriate authorization to modify critical EUICC configuration parameters.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it enables attackers to manipulate the EUICC country settings which directly affects cellular service provisioning and roaming capabilities. This modification capability could allow adversaries to bypass geographical restrictions, enable unauthorized service activation, or potentially interfere with emergency services functionality. The lack of user interaction requirement makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited automatically without any human intervention, enabling stealthy attacks that operate in the background. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of cellular communication infrastructure, potentially allowing attackers to gain insights into network configurations or disrupt service availability for legitimate users. The implications are significant for both individual privacy and network security, as EUICC country settings are fundamental to cellular service management and regulatory compliance.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate system updates and security hardening measures. Organizations should prioritize applying the latest Android security patches that address this specific permission bypass issue. System administrators should implement strict application permission controls and monitor for unauthorized modifications to telephony-related system components. The recommended approach includes enabling SELinux (Security-Enhanced Linux) policies that provide mandatory access controls, implementing application sandboxing to limit privilege escalation capabilities, and conducting regular security audits of telephony services. Additionally, network operators should establish monitoring protocols to detect unusual modifications to EUICC country settings and implement network-level controls that prevent unauthorized configuration changes. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining robust access control mechanisms and proper permission validation within critical system components, particularly those handling sensitive communication infrastructure. Security teams should also consider implementing behavioral monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous patterns in telephony service modifications, providing early warning capabilities for potential exploitation attempts.