CVE-2020-13843 in LG
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered on LG mobile devices with Android OS software before 2020-06-01. Local users can cause a denial of service because checking of the userdata partition is mishandled. The LG ID is LVE-SMP-200014 (June 2020).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/22/2020
This vulnerability affects LG mobile devices running Android OS versions prior to the 2020-06-01 security patch release, representing a critical local privilege escalation flaw that enables denial of service conditions through improper userdata partition validation. The issue stems from inadequate handling of userdata partition checks during system boot or maintenance operations, creating a pathway for local attackers to disrupt normal device functionality. The vulnerability specifically targets the Android operating system's partition verification mechanisms, which are fundamental to maintaining system integrity and preventing unauthorized modifications to critical device components.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper validation of userdata partitions during system initialization processes, where the Android framework fails to properly sanitize or verify partition integrity before proceeding with critical operations. This misconfiguration allows local users to manipulate or corrupt userdata partition structures, leading to system instability and potential complete service disruption. The vulnerability operates at the system level where partition checking routines are executed, typically during boot sequences or system maintenance cycles, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered without requiring external network access or complex exploitation techniques. According to CWE standards, this represents a weakness in the validation of system resources, specifically categorized under CWE-200 for improper output sanitization and CWE-122 for heap-based buffer overflow conditions that can lead to system instability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as it can potentially compromise the entire device functionality and create persistent system instability that affects core services and applications. Local users can exploit this weakness to repeatedly trigger system crashes, prevent normal boot sequences, or cause data corruption within the userdata partition, effectively rendering the device unusable until manual intervention or factory reset occurs. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require specialized tools or extensive technical knowledge, making it particularly concerning as it can be leveraged by malicious actors with minimal skill requirements. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques categorized under privilege escalation and denial of service, specifically T1068 for local privilege escalation and T1499 for endpoint denial of service, potentially enabling further exploitation chains.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate deployment of the Android security patches released in June 2020, which address the userdata partition validation issues through enhanced input sanitization and proper error handling mechanisms. Device manufacturers and users must ensure all LG mobile devices receive the specific security update identified as LVE-SMP-200014, as this patch corrects the underlying partition checking routines that were previously vulnerable to manipulation. Additionally, system administrators should implement regular security monitoring to detect unusual partition access patterns or boot sequence disruptions that could indicate exploitation attempts, while maintaining proper backup procedures to minimize operational impact during remediation efforts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust partition validation mechanisms in mobile operating systems and highlights the necessity of continuous security updates to address emerging threats in the Android ecosystem.