CVE-2020-0426 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In SyncManager, there is a possible permission bypass due to an unsafe PendingIntent. 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-154921790
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/18/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-0426 resides within the SyncManager component of Android operating systems, specifically affecting Android 11 and earlier versions. This issue represents a critical permission bypass flaw that stems from the improper handling of PendingIntent objects within the synchronization framework. The vulnerability manifests when the system creates PendingIntent objects without adequate security checks, allowing malicious applications to potentially access sensitive data through unauthorized pathways.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability can be classified under CWE-284, which addresses improper access control mechanisms within software systems. The flaw occurs when SyncManager generates PendingIntent objects that lack proper security parameters, particularly in their FLAG_IMMUTABLE or FLAG_MUTABLE flags configuration. This unsafe PendingIntent creation allows for potential privilege escalation where unauthorized applications can intercept or manipulate synchronization processes that should only be accessible to system-level components or specifically authorized applications. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates without requiring any user interaction, making it an automated threat vector that can be exploited silently in the background.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables local information disclosure attacks where malicious applications can potentially access data that should remain protected within the synchronization framework. The attack surface is broad as it affects the core synchronization mechanisms that handle various types of data including contacts, calendar entries, and other user-specific information. The lack of additional execution privileges required for exploitation means that even applications with minimal permissions can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to sensitive user data. This represents a significant threat to user privacy and data confidentiality, as the exploitation occurs at the system level within the Android framework itself.
The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1068, which deals with 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation', and potentially T1566, related to 'Phishing with Social Engineering'. The exploitation process involves leveraging the unsafe PendingIntent mechanism to bypass normal permission checks, effectively allowing unauthorized applications to access data that should be restricted to specific system components or applications with appropriate authorization. Security researchers have noted that the vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in environments where multiple applications are installed, as it provides a consistent pathway for information disclosure regardless of the application's intended permissions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-0426 primarily focus on updating to patched versions of Android where the SyncManager component properly handles PendingIntent objects with appropriate security flags. System administrators should ensure that all devices are updated to the latest Android security patches, particularly those addressing the specific synchronization framework vulnerabilities. Additionally, implementing proper application sandboxing and monitoring for unauthorized PendingIntent usage can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider network-based monitoring solutions that can detect unusual synchronization patterns that might indicate exploitation of this vulnerability, as the attack requires no user interaction and can operate silently in the background. The vulnerability underscores the importance of secure coding practices in system-level components and proper handling of inter-process communication mechanisms within mobile operating systems.