CVE-2022-20100 in MT6580
Summary
by MITRE • 05/04/2022
In aee daemon, there is a possible information disclosure due to a missing permission check. This could lead to local information disclosure with System execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. Patch ID: ALPS06383944; Issue ID: ALPS06270804.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/07/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-20100 affects the aee daemon component within Android-based systems, representing a critical information disclosure flaw that stems from inadequate permission validation mechanisms. This daemon serves as a crucial system service responsible for collecting and managing application crash reports and system logs, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to extract sensitive system information. The missing permission check creates a pathway for unauthorized access to confidential data that should normally be restricted to system-level processes only. The vulnerability specifically resides in the daemon's failure to properly validate access permissions before exposing sensitive information, allowing malicious actors with system execution privileges to bypass normal security controls and obtain unauthorized access to system data.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the aee daemon's insufficient validation of incoming requests and their associated permissions, creating a condition where any process running with system-level privileges can access information that should be protected. This represents a violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates a clear breakdown in the system's access control mechanisms. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level or system service layer where the daemon handles requests for crash reports, system logs, and potentially other sensitive diagnostic information. Attackers can exploit this by crafting specific requests that bypass the normal permission checking routines, effectively allowing them to read files or data that would normally be restricted to authorized system components.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to system integrity and data confidentiality, as it enables local information disclosure that could expose sensitive system configurations, application data, or user information. The requirement for system execution privileges means that attackers who have already gained elevated access to the system can leverage this flaw to extract additional sensitive information that might not be immediately apparent from other attack vectors. The impact extends beyond simple data exposure, potentially enabling further attacks by providing attackers with insights into system configurations, application behavior, and other diagnostic information that could be used to plan more sophisticated attacks. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 which specifically addresses improper access control issues, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege as defined in the CWE taxonomy.
The exploitation of CVE-2022-20100 requires minimal user interaction since it operates purely within the system's permission model and does not rely on social engineering or user input. The patch provided through ALPS06383944 addresses this by implementing proper permission validation checks within the aee daemon, ensuring that all requests are properly authenticated before sensitive information is exposed. This patch demonstrates the importance of maintaining proper access controls in system services and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of daemon processes. Organizations should implement immediate patch management procedures to address this vulnerability, as it represents a significant risk to system security when combined with other potential attack vectors. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1003 which covers OS credential dumping, as the information disclosure could potentially expose credentials or system information that could be leveraged for further compromise. The lack of user interaction requirement makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous in persistent threat scenarios where attackers maintain system access and can use such information to refine their attack strategies.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate deployment of the ALPS06383944 patch, followed by comprehensive system auditing to identify any potential exploitation attempts. System administrators should implement monitoring for unusual access patterns to the aee daemon and related system services, as well as conduct regular security assessments to identify similar permission checking vulnerabilities in other system components. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining robust access control mechanisms within system services and highlights the need for regular security reviews of daemon processes to ensure proper privilege validation. Additional defensive measures include implementing proper system hardening practices, restricting unnecessary system privileges, and maintaining up-to-date security configurations that align with industry best practices for Android system security.