CVE-2022-20261 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 08/12/2022
In LocationManager, there is a possible way to get location information due to a missing permission check. This could lead to local information disclosure with System execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-13Android ID: A-219835125
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/10/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-20261 resides within the Android LocationManager component, representing a critical security flaw that enables unauthorized access to location data through insufficient permission validation mechanisms. This weakness specifically affects Android 13 systems and is catalogued under Android ID A-219835125, highlighting its significance within the Android security ecosystem. The vulnerability stems from a missing permission check within the LocationManager implementation, which creates an exploitable pathway for information disclosure attacks.
The technical flaw manifests as a failure in the permission validation process that should normally prevent unauthorized applications from accessing location services. When LocationManager processes location requests, it fails to properly verify whether the requesting application possesses the necessary permissions to access location data. This missing validation occurs at a system level, requiring only system execution privileges for exploitation rather than more complex attack vectors. The vulnerability essentially allows any application with system-level access to bypass normal permission boundaries and retrieve location information from the device.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability represents a severe threat to user privacy and device security. The disclosure of location information can lead to comprehensive tracking of user movements, enabling adversaries to build detailed profiles of personal habits, routines, and whereabouts. The requirement for system execution privileges means that malicious actors with elevated access rights can exploit this flaw without user interaction, making it particularly dangerous as it operates silently in the background. This type of information disclosure can be leveraged for targeted attacks, surveillance operations, or data monetization activities that compromise user privacy and security.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues in software systems, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter usage in exploitation scenarios. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched Android versions, implementing strict permission controls, and monitoring for unauthorized location data access patterns. System administrators should also consider deploying additional security controls such as application sandboxing, network monitoring, and regular security audits to detect potential exploitation attempts. The affected Android 13 systems require urgent patching to address this vulnerability, as the missing permission check creates an inherent weakness in the system's security architecture that can be easily exploited by malicious actors with system-level privileges.