CVE-2020-0465 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 12/15/2020
In various methods of hid-multitouch.c, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android kernelAndroid ID: A-162844689References: Upstream kernel
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/10/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-0465 resides within the hid-multitouch.c driver component of the Android kernel, representing a critical security flaw that enables local privilege escalation without requiring any additional execution privileges or user interaction for exploitation. This issue manifests through insufficient bounds checking mechanisms in multiple methods of the hid-multitouch driver, which is responsible for handling multi-touch input devices within the Android operating system. The vulnerability affects the Android kernel specifically and has been assigned the Android ID A-162844689, with upstream kernel references indicating its presence in the broader Linux kernel ecosystem.
The technical flaw stems from the absence of proper input validation and boundary checks when processing multi-touch events from HID (Human Interface Device) input sources. When the hid-multitouch.c driver processes touch input data, it fails to validate the size or range of incoming data structures before writing to memory locations, creating an opportunity for an out-of-bounds write condition. This memory corruption vulnerability allows an attacker with local access to potentially manipulate kernel memory structures, which can lead to privilege escalation from regular user context to kernel-level privileges. The flaw specifically impacts the handling of multi-touch input events, where the driver processes coordinates and touch data without adequate bounds verification.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides a pathway for local privilege escalation without requiring additional privileges or user interaction, making it particularly dangerous in environments where local access is possible. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to gain kernel-level privileges, potentially enabling them to access sensitive system resources, modify critical system files, or establish persistent backdoors within the Android device. The lack of user interaction requirements means that the vulnerability can be exploited automatically when multi-touch input occurs, potentially during normal device usage scenarios such as screen interaction or touch-based applications. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-129, which describes improper validation of array indices, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers the exploitation of local privilege escalation vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-0465 should focus on applying the upstream kernel patches that address the missing bounds checks in the hid-multitouch.c driver. Device manufacturers should prioritize updating their Android kernel implementations to include proper input validation mechanisms that verify array bounds before memory writes occur. System administrators should ensure that all affected Android devices receive timely security updates, particularly those running kernel versions that contain this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing runtime protections such as kernel address space layout randomization and stack canaries can help mitigate exploitation attempts, though the most effective solution remains the application of the official kernel patches that fix the underlying bounds checking issue. Organizations should also conduct vulnerability assessments to identify devices running affected kernel versions and establish monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts.