CVE-2022-20114 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 05/11/2022
In placeCall of TelecomManager.java, there is a possible way for an application to keep itself running with foreground service importance due to a permissions bypass. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-10 Android-11 Android-12 Android-12LAndroid ID: A-211114016
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/13/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-20114 resides within the TelecomManager.java component of Android operating systems spanning versions 10 through 12L. This flaw manifests in the placeCall method where an application can potentially maintain foreground service importance through a permissions bypass mechanism. The technical implementation allows malicious applications to exploit a weakness in the permission model that governs foreground service management, enabling them to elevate their privileges without requiring additional execution capabilities or user interaction. The vulnerability specifically targets the foreground service importance hierarchy that Android employs to manage application lifecycle and resource allocation.
The core technical flaw operates through a permission bypass that enables applications to manipulate foreground service states without proper authorization. When an application invokes the placeCall method, it can leverage this vulnerability to maintain elevated service importance levels that should typically require explicit user consent or higher privilege permissions. This permission bypass creates an unintended pathway for privilege escalation where applications can operate with foreground service importance while remaining undetected by the system's normal security controls. The flaw essentially allows an application to circumvent Android's normal service importance hierarchy that typically requires user interaction or specific permissions for foreground service activation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential system stability and security implications. Applications exploiting this flaw can maintain persistent foreground service importance, which may lead to resource exhaustion, battery drain, and unauthorized data collection. The lack of user interaction requirement makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited silently in the background without any user awareness or consent. This capability enables malicious applications to maintain continuous operation with elevated privileges, potentially allowing them to access sensitive system resources or intercept communications that should remain protected.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control mechanisms, and represents a privilege escalation vector that could be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1068 for local privilege escalation. The vulnerability demonstrates how insufficient permission checks in system-level components can create pathways for malicious applications to gain unauthorized access to foreground service importance levels. Security researchers have noted that this flaw could be particularly dangerous in environments where Android devices serve as security gateways or handle sensitive communications, as it allows for persistent background operations that could evade normal security monitoring.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-20114 should focus on implementing proper permission validation and service importance checks within the TelecomManager component. Android security updates typically address such issues by strengthening permission requirements for foreground service operations and implementing additional validation mechanisms. Organizations should ensure that all Android devices are updated to the latest security patches that address this vulnerability, as the fix typically involves modifying the permission checking logic within the placeCall method to properly validate service importance requests. Regular security audits of foreground service implementations and permission handling should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other system components that might present analogous privilege escalation pathways.