CVE-2020-0428 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In CamX code, there is a possible use after free due to a race condition. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with System execution privileges required. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android kernelAndroid ID: A-123999783
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/18/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-0428 resides within the CamX codebase, a critical component of Android's camera subsystem responsible for image processing and sensor data handling. This flaw represents a sophisticated race condition that manifests as a use-after-free error, fundamentally compromising the integrity of memory management within the kernel space. The vulnerability specifically affects Android kernel implementations where CamX operates as a core image processing framework, making it a significant concern for device security and stability across various Android versions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper synchronization mechanisms within the CamX code during memory allocation and deallocation cycles. When multiple threads or processes attempt to access shared memory resources simultaneously, the race condition creates a window where freed memory structures can be accessed or reused before proper cleanup occurs. This use-after-free scenario allows malicious actors to manipulate memory contents, potentially executing arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The flaw operates at the kernel level, requiring system execution privileges for exploitation but not user interaction, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through normal device operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, representing a critical threat vector that could enable attackers to gain full system control. The local escalation of privilege means that an attacker with limited access to the device could potentially elevate their privileges to system level, thereby gaining complete control over device functions including camera operations, data access, and system configuration. This vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-416, which addresses use-after-free conditions, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, involving exploit for privilege escalation. The implications are severe as it could allow attackers to bypass security boundaries, access sensitive data, and potentially install persistent backdoors on affected devices.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must focus on immediate patch deployment and system hardening measures. Android vendors should prioritize rolling out security updates that address the race condition through proper synchronization mechanisms and memory management protocols. The fix typically involves implementing robust mutex locks, proper reference counting, and ensuring that memory deallocation occurs only when no active references remain. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing runtime monitoring solutions to detect anomalous memory access patterns and establish comprehensive device security policies that limit the attack surface for such vulnerabilities. Regular security audits of kernel modules and image processing frameworks should be conducted to identify similar race condition vulnerabilities that could pose comparable threats to system integrity and user privacy.