CVE-2022-20040 in MT6735
Summary
by MITRE • 02/10/2022
In power_hal_manager_service, there is a possible permission bypass due to a stack-based buffer overflow. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. Patch ID: ALPS06219150; Issue ID: ALPS06219150.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/14/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-20040 resides within the power_hal_manager_service component of an Android-based system, representing a critical security flaw that enables local privilege escalation. This issue stems from a stack-based buffer overflow condition that occurs when processing input data within the power management service. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows an attacker with local system access to bypass existing permission controls and elevate their privileges without requiring additional execution privileges or user interaction. The flaw specifically affects the power_hal_manager_service which is responsible for managing power-related hardware abstraction layer operations, making it a prime target for exploitation due to its privileged execution context and system-level access requirements.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a classic stack-based buffer overflow where insufficient input validation allows an attacker to write beyond the bounds of allocated stack memory. This condition typically occurs when the service receives untrusted input data without proper bounds checking or memory allocation verification. The overflow can overwrite adjacent stack variables, function return addresses, or other critical memory structures, potentially enabling arbitrary code execution or privilege escalation. According to CWE standards, this maps to CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a high-severity vulnerability due to its potential for privilege escalation and system compromise. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require user interaction, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered automatically through legitimate system operations or malicious input.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for any device running the affected software version where the power_hal_manager_service operates with elevated privileges. The local privilege escalation capability means that an attacker who has gained access to a low-privileged account or application can potentially gain full system-level access, including the ability to modify critical system files, access sensitive data, or establish persistent backdoors. The absence of user interaction requirements makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where local access might be obtained through various attack vectors such as malicious applications, compromised user accounts, or physical device access. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation,' and represents a critical weakness in the system's security model that undermines the principle of least privilege.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2022-20040 primarily involves applying the vendor-provided patch identified by Patch ID ALPS06219150 and Issue ID ALPS06219150. This patch addresses the underlying buffer overflow condition by implementing proper input validation and memory bounds checking within the power_hal_manager_service. Organizations should prioritize patch deployment across all affected devices and systems, particularly those where local access might be compromised or where the service operates with elevated privileges. Additionally, system administrators should implement monitoring for unusual privilege escalation attempts or abnormal behavior in power management services. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and memory safety practices in system-level services, aligning with security best practices outlined in frameworks such as the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines. Regular security audits of system services and privilege structures should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities that could enable local privilege escalation attacks.