CVE-2022-1742 in Democracy Suite Voting System
Summary
by MITRE • 06/24/2022
The tested version of Dominion Voting Systems ImageCast X allows for rebooting into Android Safe Mode, which allows an attacker to directly access the operating system. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges on a device and/or install malicious code.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/17/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-1742 affects Dominion Voting Systems ImageCast X voting equipment, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of electoral systems. This vulnerability resides in the device's boot process and recovery mechanisms, specifically allowing unauthorized individuals to trigger a reboot into Android Safe Mode. The ImageCast X systems are widely deployed in polling stations and election offices, making this a significant concern for election security and cybersecurity infrastructure. The affected device operates on an Android-based operating system, which introduces additional attack surface considerations given Android's complex ecosystem of applications and system services. This vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and system integrity, as it provides an unauthorized path to the underlying operating system that should normally be protected from casual access.
The technical flaw manifests through improper implementation of the device's recovery and boot sequence functionality. When an attacker triggers the specific conditions that lead to Android Safe Mode, they bypass normal authentication mechanisms and system security controls. This creates a persistent access vector that could be exploited repeatedly, as Safe Mode typically disables third-party applications and certain system services while maintaining core operating system functionality. The vulnerability's exploitation path involves physical access to the device combined with knowledge of specific reboot sequences or button combinations that force the system into safe mode. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-284 Access Control, specifically involving improper privileges and insufficient access control mechanisms. The flaw represents a critical breakdown in the device's security architecture and demonstrates inadequate consideration of recovery mode security in the overall system design.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-1742 extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass potential privilege escalation and malicious code installation capabilities. Once inside the Android Safe Mode environment, an attacker could leverage system-level access to modify core operating system components, install backdoors, or manipulate voting system behavior. This vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that could be exploited to compromise the entire voting infrastructure, potentially affecting vote counting, system integrity, and overall election security. The implications are particularly severe given that voting systems are increasingly connected to network infrastructure and may contain sensitive data about voters and election outcomes. This vulnerability could enable attackers to perform actions consistent with ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, where malicious code execution could be achieved through the compromised system access. The threat landscape for election infrastructure has evolved significantly, with nation-state actors and sophisticated threat groups increasingly targeting voting systems and related equipment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-1742 should address both immediate operational concerns and long-term security architecture improvements. Immediate actions include implementing physical security controls to prevent unauthorized access to voting equipment, such as locked enclosures, tamper-evident seals, and restricted access protocols. Organizations should also consider disabling or modifying the boot sequences that lead to Safe Mode unless absolutely necessary for legitimate maintenance operations. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure boot implementations and proper access control mechanisms within embedded systems, aligning with industry standards such as NIST SP 800-145 for secure system design. System administrators should implement comprehensive monitoring to detect unauthorized reboots or unusual access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments and penetration testing of voting equipment should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the election infrastructure, following established frameworks like the NIST Cybersecurity Framework for critical infrastructure protection.