CVE-2022-20194 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 06/15/2022
In onCreate of ChooseLockGeneric.java, there is a possible permission 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-12LAndroid ID: A-222684510
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-20194 resides within the onCreate method of ChooseLockGeneric.java in Android 12L systems, representing a critical permission bypass flaw that enables local privilege escalation. This issue stems from improper access control mechanisms within the Android framework's lock screen configuration component, specifically affecting how the system validates user permissions during the creation of lock screen settings. The vulnerability allows malicious applications or processes running with standard user privileges to potentially bypass intended security restrictions and gain elevated system-level access.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the ChooseLockGeneric.java component which handles the user interface for selecting lock screen methods such as PIN, pattern, or password. During the onCreate lifecycle method execution, the system fails to properly validate whether the calling process possesses the necessary permissions to modify lock screen configurations. This oversight creates an exploitable condition where unauthorized code can manipulate lock screen settings without proper authentication or authorization checks. The vulnerability manifests through insufficient input validation and inadequate permission verification mechanisms that should normally prevent unauthorized modifications to security-critical system components.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant threat to Android device security as it enables local privilege escalation without requiring additional execution privileges or user interaction. Attackers can exploit this flaw to gain elevated privileges on affected devices running Android 12L, potentially allowing them to access sensitive system resources, modify critical security settings, or install malicious applications with system-level permissions. The absence of user interaction requirements makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited automatically without any user awareness or consent. The impact extends beyond individual device compromise to potentially affect enterprise security environments where Android devices are used for corporate purposes.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues in software systems, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting legitimate credentials and privileges to gain unauthorized access. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest Android security patches, monitoring for suspicious lock screen configuration changes, and implementing robust application permission controls. System administrators should also consider deploying additional security monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts and ensure proper access control enforcement. The vulnerability highlights the importance of thorough permission validation in system-level components and underscores the need for comprehensive security testing of Android framework components to prevent similar issues in future releases.