CVE-2022-20130 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 06/15/2022
In transportDec_OutOfBandConfig of tpdec_lib.cpp, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a heap buffer overflow. This could lead to remote code execution 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-224314979
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2022
This vulnerability exists within the transportDec_OutOfBandConfig function of the tpdec_lib.cpp file in Android's media processing framework, specifically affecting Android versions 10 through 12L. The flaw represents a heap buffer overflow condition that occurs when handling out-of-band configuration data during transport decoding operations. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121 Heap-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a critical security weakness in the CWE database. The vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking when processing user-supplied data that flows through the media decoding pipeline, particularly in the context of transport stream handling for multimedia content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows for remote code execution through a carefully crafted media file or network stream that triggers the buffer overflow condition. When the transportDec_OutOfBandConfig function processes malformed input data, it writes beyond the allocated heap buffer boundaries, potentially overwriting adjacent memory regions including function pointers, return addresses, or other critical data structures. This memory corruption can be leveraged by attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected media processing service, which typically runs with system-level privileges. The exploitation does not require user interaction, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered automatically through malicious media content delivered via network channels or file transfers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple Android versions, creating a widespread security risk for devices running Android 10 through 12L. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability remotely through various vectors including malicious media files, network streams, or embedded content in web pages or applications that utilize the affected media processing libraries. The vulnerability's classification under the Android ID A-224314979 indicates its severity and the coordinated disclosure approach used by Google's security team. This type of remote code execution vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 for Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as it enables attackers to gain system-level control without requiring additional privileges or user interaction.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patch deployment through Android security updates, which typically address the underlying buffer overflow by implementing proper bounds checking and input validation mechanisms. Organizations should also consider network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious media file patterns or network traffic associated with known exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting and restricting media processing capabilities in untrusted environments can help reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices in media processing libraries and demonstrates how buffer overflow conditions in multimedia frameworks can create significant security risks that extend far beyond simple denial-of-service conditions.