CVE-2022-20293 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 08/12/2022
In LauncherApps, there is a possible way to determine whether an app is installed, without query permissions, due to side channel information disclosure. This could lead to local information disclosure with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-13Android ID: A-202298672
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/10/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-20293 resides within the LauncherApps component of Android 13 systems, representing a significant information disclosure flaw that undermines the platform's security model. This weakness allows attackers to determine the installation status of applications through side channel information disclosure mechanisms, effectively bypassing traditional permission-based access controls that should normally prevent such enumeration. The vulnerability specifically affects the Android 13 operating system and is tracked under Android ID A-202298672, highlighting its classification as a medium to high severity issue that could be exploited without requiring any additional privileges or user interaction.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of application enumeration requests within the LauncherApps framework. When applications attempt to query the system for installed packages, the underlying implementation inadvertently leaks information through timing variations or other observable side channels that reveal whether specific applications exist on the device. This occurs because the system's response behavior differs between cases where an application is installed versus when it is not, creating a detectable pattern that can be exploited by malicious actors. The flaw essentially allows for passive reconnaissance of the application landscape without requiring explicit permissions to enumerate installed packages, which violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and access control.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates a foundation for more sophisticated attacks within the Android ecosystem. An attacker could leverage this weakness to build comprehensive profiles of target devices, identifying installed applications that might contain known vulnerabilities or that represent specific threat vectors. This information disclosure capability could enable targeted attacks against specific applications, potentially leading to privilege escalation or other exploitation opportunities. The vulnerability's accessibility through side channels means that even applications with minimal permissions could potentially exploit this weakness, making it particularly concerning for the Android security model that relies on granular permission controls. The lack of requirement for user interaction or additional execution privileges significantly increases the attack surface and reduces the barriers to exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-20293 should focus on both immediate system updates and architectural improvements to prevent similar side channel information leakage. Android security patches addressing this vulnerability typically involve modifications to how LauncherApps handles package enumeration requests, ensuring that system responses remain consistent regardless of whether specific applications are installed. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of the relevant Android security updates and consider implementing additional monitoring for suspicious enumeration patterns. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-203, which addresses "Information Exposure Through Side Channels," and could potentially be leveraged as part of broader attack chains that map to ATT&CK techniques such as T1069.001 for Permission Groups and T1592 for Vulnerability Discovery, making it a critical concern for both mobile security teams and enterprise threat intelligence operations.