CVE-2022-20053 in MT6731
Summary
by MITRE • 03/10/2022
In ims service, there is a possible escalation of privilege due to a missing permission check. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. Patch ID: ALPS06219097; Issue ID: ALPS06219097.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/14/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-20053 resides within the ims service component of Android-based systems, representing a critical privilege escalation flaw that allows attackers to gain elevated system privileges without requiring any additional execution permissions. This weakness specifically manifests in the absence of proper permission verification mechanisms within the ims service, which is responsible for handling instant messaging and communication services on mobile devices. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the system level where the ims service typically runs with elevated privileges to perform its core functions, yet fails to validate whether incoming requests originate from authorized processes or users.
The technical implementation of this flaw stems from inadequate access control checks within the ims service's permission model. When the service processes requests or handles communication protocols, it does not properly verify the calling process's credentials or permissions before executing sensitive operations. This missing validation creates a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the service and execute arbitrary code with higher privileges than initially intended. The vulnerability's design flaw aligns with CWE-284 which specifically addresses improper access control mechanisms, where insufficient checks allow unauthorized access to protected resources or operations. The absence of proper permission validation in this context represents a fundamental breakdown in the principle of least privilege that should govern all system services.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to mobile device security as it enables local privilege escalation without requiring user interaction or additional attack vectors. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute malicious code with system-level privileges, potentially gaining access to sensitive user data, modifying system configurations, or installing persistent backdoors. The exploitation process is straightforward since no additional execution privileges are required beyond what the ims service already possesses, making it particularly dangerous for mobile environments where users may not be aware of the underlying system processes. This vulnerability can be classified under the ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' and specifically targets local privilege escalation methods that leverage service vulnerabilities.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond individual device compromise as it can potentially enable attackers to establish persistent access to mobile devices, undermining the security model of Android operating systems. The patch referenced as ALPS06219097 addresses this issue by implementing proper permission checks within the ims service, ensuring that all incoming requests are properly authenticated before executing privileged operations. Organizations and device manufacturers must prioritize the deployment of this patch across affected systems to prevent exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of implementing comprehensive access control mechanisms within system services and highlights the need for regular security audits of core system components. Security teams should monitor for any indicators of exploitation attempts and ensure that proper logging and monitoring are in place to detect unauthorized privilege escalation activities. This flaw serves as a reminder of the inherent risks in mobile operating systems where multiple services must maintain elevated privileges while still enforcing strict access controls to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive system functions.