CVE-2022-20228 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 07/13/2022
In various functions of C2DmaBufAllocator.cpp, there is a possible memory corruption due to a use after free. This could lead to remote information disclosure with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-12 Android-12LAndroid ID: A-213850092
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/31/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-20228 resides within the C2DmaBufAllocator.cpp component of Android's graphics subsystem, specifically affecting Android 12 and Android 12L versions. This memory corruption flaw manifests through use after free conditions in multiple functions, creating a critical security risk that could be exploited remotely without requiring additional execution privileges. The vulnerability's impact extends to potential information disclosure, making it particularly concerning for mobile device security. The Android ID A-213850092 categorizes this issue within the broader context of Android's security framework, highlighting its significance in the mobile operating system's kernel-level components.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper memory management within the C2DmaBufAllocator.cpp file where allocated memory is freed but subsequently accessed by other functions. This use after free condition occurs when the system attempts to reference memory that has already been deallocated, potentially causing unpredictable behavior including memory corruption. The flaw exists in the graphics buffer allocation mechanism that handles DMA (Direct Memory Access) buffer management, which is fundamental to Android's graphics rendering pipeline. When a buffer is freed from memory but the system continues to reference it, the memory contents may be overwritten or corrupted, leading to information leakage. This type of vulnerability is classified under CWE-416 as use after free, which represents a common yet dangerous memory safety issue in systems programming.
The operational impact of this vulnerability creates a remote information disclosure threat that can be exploited through user interaction, making it particularly dangerous in mobile environments where users frequently interact with various applications. Attackers could potentially leverage this flaw to extract sensitive information from the device's memory, including but not limited to application data, system credentials, or other confidential information. The requirement for user interaction suggests that exploitation might occur through malicious applications or web content that triggers the vulnerable code path during normal device operation. This vulnerability affects the fundamental graphics processing capabilities of Android devices, potentially compromising not just individual applications but the entire system's security posture. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers do not need physical access to the device or elevated privileges to carry out the attack, making it especially concerning for widespread deployment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-20228 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from Google as part of the Android security updates, ensuring that all affected Android 12 and 12L devices receive the necessary fixes. Organizations should implement proactive monitoring of their Android device fleets to identify and update vulnerable systems promptly. Network administrators should consider implementing additional security controls such as application whitelisting and mobile device management policies to limit potential exploitation vectors. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) indicates that attackers may use this flaw as part of broader attack chains. Security teams should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their Android environments to identify any potential indirect impacts from this memory corruption issue. Regular security audits and penetration testing of mobile device environments should be conducted to ensure comprehensive protection against similar memory safety issues.