CVE-2022-20307 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 08/12/2022
In AlarmManagerService, 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-198782887
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/11/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-20307 resides within the AlarmManagerService component of Android operating systems, specifically affecting Android 13 and potentially earlier versions. This security flaw represents a significant information disclosure issue that undermines the privacy and security model of the Android platform. The vulnerability stems from insufficient access controls and information flow management within the system's alarm management service, which is designed to handle scheduled system events and background operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves a side channel attack mechanism that allows malicious applications to determine the installation status of other applications on the device without requiring explicit query permissions or user consent. This occurs through subtle timing variations or observable system behaviors that reveal whether specific applications are present in the system. The flaw operates at the system service level where AlarmManagerService communicates with the underlying Android framework, creating an information leakage channel that bypasses normal permission checking mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this weakness to perform reconnaissance activities and gather intelligence about the target device's application landscape.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it enables adversaries to map the application environment of a target device without requiring elevated privileges or user interaction. This capability significantly undermines the principle of least privilege and can be leveraged as a reconnaissance primitive for more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability affects the fundamental security model of Android by allowing unauthorized applications to gather metadata about other installed applications, potentially revealing sensitive information about user behavior, preferences, and device usage patterns. This information can be particularly valuable for attackers planning targeted attacks or for conducting social engineering operations.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-200 (Information Exposure) and represents a classic example of how system services can inadvertently create information leakage channels. The issue demonstrates the complexity of securing modern mobile operating systems where numerous system components must maintain strict isolation while providing necessary functionality. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving reconnaissance and information gathering, specifically leveraging system-level information disclosure to enhance attack capabilities. The lack of user interaction requirement makes this vulnerability particularly concerning as it can be exploited automatically without any user awareness or consent.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing stricter access controls within the AlarmManagerService and ensuring proper isolation between applications. System updates should address the root cause by modifying the service's response behavior to prevent timing-based information leakage. Organizations should deploy the latest Android security patches immediately and conduct thorough security assessments of their mobile device management policies. Additional protective measures include monitoring for suspicious application behavior patterns and implementing application whitelisting where possible. The vulnerability underscores the importance of continuous security auditing of system services and the need for robust information flow controls to prevent side channel attacks that can compromise user privacy and system integrity.