CVE-2022-20035 in MT6768
Summary
by MITRE • 02/10/2022
In vcu driver, there is a possible information disclosure due to a use after free. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with System execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. Patch ID: ALPS06171675; Issue ID: ALPS06171675.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/13/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-20035 resides within the vcu driver component, representing a critical security flaw that enables unauthorized information disclosure through a use-after-free condition. This type of vulnerability occurs when a program continues to reference memory locations after they have been freed, creating potential pathways for malicious actors to access sensitive data or execute arbitrary code. The vcu driver, typically responsible for video codec processing and hardware acceleration in mobile platforms, becomes a vector for privilege escalation when this memory management error is exploited.
The technical nature of this flaw aligns with CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free vulnerabilities where program memory is accessed after it has been freed by the system. The vulnerability manifests in the driver's handling of memory allocations during video processing operations, where improper memory management allows for the reuse of freed memory blocks. This creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate the system's memory layout and potentially extract sensitive information from kernel space. The flaw requires system execution privileges for exploitation, indicating that while the attack vector is sophisticated, it operates at the kernel level where the most critical system resources are accessible.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides a pathway for local privilege escalation to system-level privileges without requiring user interaction. This means that an attacker with minimal access to the system could potentially elevate their privileges to gain full control over the device. The lack of user interaction requirements makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited automatically without the need for social engineering or user deception. The patch ID ALPS06171675 indicates this was addressed in a specific firmware update for Android-based devices, highlighting the widespread nature of this vulnerability across mobile platforms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-20035 should focus on immediate patch deployment across affected systems, particularly mobile devices and embedded platforms utilizing the vcu driver. System administrators should implement comprehensive monitoring for anomalous memory access patterns and privilege escalation attempts. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1068 suggests that exploitation may involve privilege escalation tactics, making it essential to monitor for suspicious process creation and memory manipulation activities. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify other potential use-after-free conditions in similar driver components, as these types of memory management errors often occur in complex kernel modules where resource cleanup and allocation are critical. The remediation process should include validating patch integrity and ensuring complete system updates to prevent potential exploitation pathways.