CVE-2022-20050 in MT6762
Summary
by MITRE • 03/10/2022
In connsyslogger, there is a possible symbolic link following due to improper link resolution. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with System execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. Patch ID: ALPS06335038; Issue ID: ALPS06335038.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/14/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-20050 resides within the connsyslogger component of an Android-based system, representing a critical symbolic link following issue that enables local privilege escalation. This flaw stems from improper handling of symbolic link resolution during file operations, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate system processes and gain elevated privileges. The vulnerability specifically affects systems where connsyslogger operates with system-level execution privileges, making it particularly dangerous as it requires no user interaction for exploitation. The issue manifests when the system fails to properly validate or resolve symbolic links before performing file operations, allowing attackers to craft malicious link structures that can be traversed by the vulnerable logger process.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability falls under CWE-382, which describes the use of symbolic links inappropriately, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through system binary manipulation. When connsyslogger processes files, it does not adequately check whether the target of a symbolic link points to a legitimate location or if it has been manipulated by an attacker. This weakness creates a race condition scenario where an attacker can create a symbolic link that points to a system file or executable, and when the logger process follows this link, it inadvertently executes malicious code with system privileges. The patch ID ALPS06335038 indicates this was addressed in a specific Android system update, suggesting the vulnerability was present in a particular version of the Android operating system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides attackers with the ability to modify system-critical components, install persistent backdoors, or access sensitive data that would otherwise be protected by system-level access controls. Since the vulnerability operates at the system execution level, it enables attackers to potentially compromise the entire device, making it particularly concerning for mobile devices where users often store sensitive personal and corporate information. The lack of user interaction requirement means that exploitation can occur silently in the background, making detection and prevention significantly more challenging. Furthermore, this vulnerability can be leveraged as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, potentially enabling lateral movement within networked environments where the compromised device serves as an entry point.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-20050 should prioritize immediate patch application through the Android security update process, as specified by the ALPS06335038 patch identifier. Organizations should also implement monitoring for anomalous symbolic link creation patterns and file system access behaviors that could indicate exploitation attempts. System administrators should consider implementing additional security controls such as mandatory access controls, file integrity monitoring, and regular security assessments to detect and prevent similar vulnerabilities. The fix typically involves strengthening the symbolic link resolution process within connsyslogger to ensure proper validation of link targets before any file operations are performed, thereby preventing the traversal of maliciously crafted symbolic links that could lead to privilege escalation.