CVE-2022-20193 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 06/15/2022
In getUniqueUsagesWithLabels of PermissionUsageHelper.java, there is a possible incorrect permission attribution due to a logic error in the code. This could lead to local escalation of privilege by conflating apps with User execution privileges needed. User interaction is needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-12LAndroid ID: A-212434116
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-20193 resides within the Android permission system's handling of usage labels and permission attribution mechanisms. This flaw exists in the getUniqueUsagesWithLabels method of the PermissionUsageHelper.java file, which is part of Android's core permission management infrastructure. The issue manifests as a logic error that causes the system to incorrectly attribute permissions to applications, potentially leading to unauthorized privilege escalation. The vulnerability specifically affects Android 12L and represents a significant concern for system security integrity.
The technical flaw stems from a programming error in the permission attribution logic where the system fails to properly distinguish between different permission usage scenarios. When processing permission usage labels, the code incorrectly conflates applications that require user execution privileges with those that do not, creating a scenario where legitimate permission checks may be bypassed. This logical inconsistency allows malicious applications to potentially exploit the system by leveraging incorrectly attributed permissions. The vulnerability operates at the system level where permission management and user execution contexts intersect, making it particularly dangerous for privilege escalation attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple permission misattribution to potentially enable local privilege escalation attacks. An attacker with local system access could exploit this flaw to elevate their privileges by manipulating how the system interprets permission usage labels. The requirement for user interaction indicates that exploitation would likely involve social engineering or a compromised application that tricks users into granting permissions or executing malicious code. This vulnerability could allow an attacker to gain elevated privileges on the device, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive user data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-20193 should focus on immediate system updates and enhanced permission validation mechanisms. Android users should ensure their devices are updated to the latest security patches that address this specific logic error in the permission attribution system. Security researchers and system administrators should monitor for any unauthorized privilege escalation attempts and implement additional verification mechanisms for permission handling. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation. Organizations should also consider implementing additional runtime monitoring to detect anomalous permission usage patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The fix typically involves correcting the logical flow in the PermissionUsageHelper.java file to properly distinguish between different permission usage contexts and ensure accurate attribution of execution privileges to applications.