CVE-2022-20016 in MT6781
Summary
by MITRE • 01/04/2022
In vow driver, there is a possible memory corruption due to improper locking. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with System execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. Patch ID: ALPS05862986; Issue ID: ALPS05862986.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/06/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-20016 resides within the vow driver component of a mobile operating system, specifically affecting Android-based devices. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that stems from inadequate synchronization mechanisms during concurrent access to shared memory resources. The vulnerability manifests as improper locking within the kernel-level driver, creating a race condition scenario where multiple threads or processes can simultaneously access and modify the same memory locations without proper mutual exclusion. The underlying issue is classified as a memory corruption vulnerability that directly impacts the system's integrity and security model.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the vow driver's failure to properly acquire locks before accessing shared data structures or memory regions. When multiple execution contexts attempt to manipulate the same kernel memory space concurrently, the absence of proper locking mechanisms allows for unpredictable memory states to occur. This race condition can result in memory corruption that manifests as arbitrary code execution within kernel space, providing attackers with elevated privileges. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level, meaning that successful exploitation can grant full system-level control without requiring any user interaction or additional privileges beyond what is already available to the compromised process.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe threat to device security as it enables local privilege escalation without requiring user interaction or elevated privileges. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it can be exploited by any process running on the device, potentially allowing malicious applications or compromised system components to gain system-level execution privileges. The lack of user interaction requirement makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where users may not be aware of the compromise, as the exploitation can occur silently in the background. This type of vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and can lead to complete system compromise, data theft, or persistent backdoor installation.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2022-20016 involves applying the vendor-specific patch identified as ALPS05862986, which addresses the improper locking implementation within the vow driver. System administrators should prioritize patch deployment across all affected devices, particularly those in high-security environments or handling sensitive data. Additionally, implementing runtime monitoring and anomaly detection can help identify potential exploitation attempts before they succeed. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-362, which describes "Concurrent Execution using Shared Resource with Improper Synchronization," and maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation." Organizations should also consider implementing device integrity monitoring and kernel module verification to prevent unauthorized modifications to critical system components. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar improper locking scenarios that may exist in other kernel drivers or system components.