CVE-2022-20119 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 05/11/2022
In private_handle_t of mali_gralloc_buffer.h, there is a possible information disclosure due to uninitialized data. This could lead to local information disclosure with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android kernelAndroid ID: A-213170715References: N/A
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/13/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-20119 resides within the Mali graphics driver implementation in Android kernel environments, specifically affecting the private_handle_t structure defined in mali_gralloc_buffer.h. This flaw represents a classic case of uninitialized memory exposure where sensitive data from previous operations may persist in memory locations allocated for new buffer handles. The vulnerability manifests as an information disclosure issue that occurs during the handling of graphics buffer management operations, particularly when allocating or reusing graphics memory resources. The root cause stems from the failure to properly initialize memory structures before they are utilized, creating potential pathways for sensitive information leakage.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper initialization of the private_handle_t structure which serves as a container for graphics buffer metadata and memory pointers within the Mali graphics driver framework. When graphics buffers are allocated or reallocated, the memory regions may retain data from previous operations due to incomplete initialization of the handle structure. This uninitialized data can include cryptographic keys, system credentials, application data, or other sensitive information that was previously stored in the same memory locations. The flaw operates at the kernel level where graphics buffer management occurs, making it particularly concerning for Android devices that rely heavily on GPU-accelerated graphics operations and multimedia processing.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can potentially enable attackers to reconstruct sensitive data that was previously processed by the graphics subsystem. Since no additional execution privileges are required for exploitation, local attackers with basic user-level access can leverage this flaw to extract information from memory regions that should be clean and properly initialized. The vulnerability affects Android kernel implementations where Mali graphics drivers are utilized, which encompasses a significant portion of mobile devices and embedded systems that rely on arm's Mali GPU architectures. This makes the attack surface particularly broad across various Android device types including smartphones, tablets, and other mobile computing platforms.
The security implications align with CWE-457: Use of Uninitialized Variable, which specifically addresses scenarios where uninitialized variables can contain arbitrary data from memory. This vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1005: Data from Local System, as it enables extraction of sensitive data from system memory through legitimate graphics buffer operations. The flaw demonstrates poor memory management practices within the graphics driver codebase, where proper initialization sequences are not enforced for buffer handle structures. This represents a fundamental security weakness in the kernel-level graphics subsystem that could potentially be chained with other vulnerabilities to escalate privileges or gain deeper system access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-20119 should focus on ensuring proper initialization of all memory structures within the Mali graphics driver implementation. System administrators and device manufacturers should prioritize updating to patched kernel versions that address this uninitialized memory handling issue. The fix typically involves adding explicit initialization code for the private_handle_t structure before it is used for graphics buffer operations. Additionally, implementing memory sanitization techniques and conducting thorough code reviews of graphics driver components can help prevent similar issues in future implementations. Regular security assessments of kernel modules and graphics subsystems should be conducted to identify and remediate uninitialized memory usage patterns that could lead to information disclosure vulnerabilities.