CVE-2022-20299 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 08/12/2022
In ContentService, there is a possible way to check if the given account exists on the device due to a missing permission check. This could lead to local information disclosure with User execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-13Android ID: A-201415895
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/10/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-20299 resides within the ContentService component of Android operating systems, specifically affecting Android 13 and earlier versions. This security flaw represents a significant concern for device security as it allows unauthorized access to account information through a missing permission check mechanism. The vulnerability specifically affects the ContentService functionality which manages content operations and access controls within the Android framework, making it a critical component for maintaining system integrity and user privacy.
The technical flaw manifests through a lack of proper authorization checks when processing account existence verification requests. An attacker with user-level execution privileges can exploit this weakness to determine whether specific accounts exist on the device without requiring additional user interaction or elevated permissions. This occurs because the ContentService fails to validate whether the requesting application has the appropriate permissions to perform account enumeration operations, creating an information disclosure pathway that violates fundamental security principles of access control and privilege separation. The vulnerability operates at the system level within the Android framework, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by malicious applications that have already gained user-level access to the device.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it enables attackers to build comprehensive profiles of device users by mapping account structures and identifying potential targets for further exploitation. This information can be used to craft more sophisticated attacks, including social engineering campaigns or targeted malware delivery that specifically targets discovered accounts. The vulnerability requires only user execution privileges to exploit, which means it can be activated by any application that has been granted basic user permissions, significantly expanding the attack surface. From an attacker perspective, this represents a low-effort, high-reward method for gathering intelligence about device users, potentially leading to more severe security breaches. The lack of user interaction requirements makes this vulnerability particularly concerning as it can be exploited automatically without any user awareness or consent.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-20299 should focus on implementing proper permission checking mechanisms within the ContentService component and ensuring that account existence verification operations require appropriate authorization levels. System administrators and device manufacturers should prioritize updating to patched Android versions where this vulnerability has been addressed through proper access control implementations. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 which specifically addresses inadequate access control and improper privileges, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1087.001 for account discovery. Organizations should also implement monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous account enumeration activities and establish strict application permission policies that limit the ability of applications to perform unauthorized account checks. Regular security audits of system components should be conducted to identify similar permission bypass vulnerabilities that could compromise user privacy and system integrity.