CVE-2022-20072 in MT6580
Summary
by MITRE • 04/12/2022
In search engine service, there is a possible way to change the default search engine due to an incorrect comparison. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with System execution privileges needed. User interaction is no needed for exploitation. Patch ID: ALPS06219118; Issue ID: ALPS06219118.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/17/2022
This vulnerability exists within a search engine service component where an improper comparison mechanism allows for unauthorized modification of the default search engine configuration. The flaw stems from a weak comparison function that fails to properly validate the integrity of search engine settings, creating a path for privilege escalation. The vulnerability requires system execution privileges for exploitation but does not necessitate user interaction, making it particularly concerning for automated attack scenarios. The issue manifests when the system fails to correctly verify search engine parameters during configuration changes, potentially allowing malicious actors to substitute a malicious search engine for the legitimate default.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability can be categorized under CWE-254 as it involves a weakness in comparison operations that leads to security flaws. The improper comparison likely occurs in a validation routine where string or parameter checks are not robust enough to prevent substitution attacks. This weakness creates an opportunity for privilege escalation because the system incorrectly accepts modified search engine parameters without proper verification. The vulnerability operates at the system level where the search engine service runs with elevated privileges, allowing successful exploitation to gain system-level control. Attackers can leverage this flaw to modify system search configurations in ways that could redirect user queries or execute malicious code through the search engine interface.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk for systems where search engine services are actively used and configured. The local escalation of privilege means that any attacker with system execution capabilities can potentially modify search engine settings to gain broader system access. The lack of user interaction requirement makes this particularly dangerous as it can be exploited automatically without user awareness or consent. The vulnerability affects systems where search engine services are configured to run with elevated privileges, creating a potential attack vector that could be used to establish persistent access or to redirect sensitive queries through malicious endpoints. The patch ALPS06219118 addresses the comparison logic to ensure proper validation of search engine parameters and prevents unauthorized modifications to system search configurations.
The mitigation strategy should focus on applying the vendor-provided patch ALPS06219118 immediately to all affected systems. Security teams should also implement monitoring for unauthorized search engine configuration changes and establish baseline configurations to detect potential tampering. Additional protective measures include restricting system execution privileges to minimize the attack surface and implementing proper access controls for search engine configuration services. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust input validation and parameter comparison in system services, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers privilege escalation through system binary modification. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege models for search engine services and conduct regular security assessments to identify similar comparison flaws in other system components.