CVE-2020-0396 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In various places in Telephony, there is a possible permission bypass due to an unsafe PendingIntent. This could lead to local information disclosure with User execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-8.1 Android-9 Android-10 Android-11 Android-8.0Android ID: A-155094269
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/18/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-0396 resides within the Telephony subsystem of Android operating systems spanning versions 8.0 through 11. This issue manifests as a permission bypass vulnerability that stems from the improper handling of PendingIntent objects within telephony services. The flaw specifically affects the security model of Android by allowing unauthorized access to sensitive telephony information through a mechanism that should otherwise enforce strict permission controls.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the unsafe usage of PendingIntent objects within telephony components. When applications create PendingIntent objects to handle telephony-related operations, the system fails to properly validate or restrict the permissions associated with these pending operations. This creates a scenario where malicious applications can potentially bypass normal permission checks and gain access to telephony data that should be restricted to authorized components only. The vulnerability operates under CWE-284 which specifically addresses improper access control mechanisms, making it a clear violation of proper privilege management within the Android security framework.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables local information disclosure when an attacker has user execution privileges on the device. While the exploitation does not require user interaction, it does necessitate that the attacker already possesses user-level access to the target device. This means that any application running with user privileges could potentially leverage this vulnerability to access sensitive telephony information including call logs, SMS data, or other personal communication details. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it operates within the core telephony services that are fundamental to device functionality.
From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which involves exploiting legitimate credentials and privileges to gain access to restricted resources. The flaw essentially allows for privilege escalation within the telephony domain, enabling an attacker to extract information that would normally be protected by Android's permission model. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at a system level within telephony services, making it difficult to detect and isolate from normal application behavior. Organizations and users should be aware that this vulnerability affects all Android versions from 8.0 through 11, indicating a widespread impact across multiple Android generations.
The recommended mitigations for this vulnerability include applying the latest Android security patches provided by Google, which address the improper PendingIntent handling in telephony services. System administrators should ensure that all devices are updated to the latest security releases and that proper application sandboxing is maintained. Additionally, monitoring for unusual telephony-related activities and implementing robust application permission controls can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper permission handling in Android's security model and the need for continuous security auditing of system-level components.