CVE-2022-20133 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 06/15/2022
In setDiscoverableTimeout of AdapterService.java, there is a possible bypass of user interaction due to a missing permission check. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with User execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-10 Android-11 Android-12 Android-12LAndroid ID: A-206807679
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-20133 resides within the Bluetooth adapter service implementation of Android operating systems spanning versions 10 through 12L. This issue manifests in the setDiscoverableTimeout method of the AdapterService.java component where a critical permission validation gap exists. The flaw represents a classic privilege escalation vulnerability that allows malicious applications with user-level execution privileges to bypass intended security controls without requiring any form of user interaction for exploitation.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from a missing permission check within the Bluetooth adapter service's discoverable timeout configuration mechanism. When applications attempt to modify the discoverable timeout settings for Bluetooth adapters, the system fails to properly validate whether the calling application possesses the necessary authorization to perform such operations. This permission gap creates an opportunity for unauthorized modification of critical Bluetooth system parameters that should only be accessible to system-level components or applications with explicit administrative privileges.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables local privilege escalation attacks where malicious applications can manipulate Bluetooth discoverability settings without user consent or awareness. The implications extend beyond simple Bluetooth configuration changes as these modifications can potentially affect the entire Bluetooth subsystem security posture. Attackers can exploit this weakness to establish persistent Bluetooth access points, enable unauthorized device discovery, or manipulate Bluetooth pairing processes to gain deeper system access. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates entirely within the local execution context without requiring user interaction, making it stealthy and difficult to detect through traditional security monitoring approaches.
The security implications align with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control vulnerabilities, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting local privilege escalation opportunities. This vulnerability represents a significant risk to Android device security as it allows applications to bypass intended security boundaries within the Bluetooth subsystem. The affected Android versions include Android 10, 11, 12, and 12L, indicating this flaw has persisted across multiple generations of the Android operating system. The Android ID A-206807679 specifically tracks this vulnerability within Google's internal tracking systems, highlighting its recognition as a critical security concern requiring immediate attention and patching across affected device fleets. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including system updates, application sandboxing measures, and enhanced monitoring of Bluetooth-related system calls to prevent exploitation of this privilege escalation vector.
The vulnerability's persistence across multiple Android versions suggests a fundamental flaw in the permission model implementation that requires comprehensive system-level remediation rather than simple application-level patches. This type of vulnerability typically requires coordinated patching efforts across device manufacturers and Google's security teams to ensure complete protection across all affected Android variants. The lack of user interaction requirement makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where users may unknowingly install malicious applications that can exploit this weakness to gain elevated privileges.