CVE-2022-20311 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 08/12/2022
In Telecomm, there is a possible disclosure of registered self managed phone accounts 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-192663553
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/10/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-20311 resides within the Telecomm module of Android operating systems, specifically affecting Android 13 installations. This security flaw represents a critical information disclosure weakness that stems from inadequate permission validation mechanisms within the phone account management system. The vulnerability manifests when the system fails to properly verify authorization levels before exposing registered self-managed phone accounts to unauthorized access. According to the Android security advisory A-192663553, this issue allows for local information disclosure through a missing permission check that should have prevented unauthorized access to sensitive telephony account data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the absence of proper access control validation when processing phone account registration information. When a user manages phone accounts within the Telecomm module, the system should enforce strict permission boundaries to ensure that only authorized applications or processes can access account details. However, the missing permission check creates a scenario where malicious applications running with user execution privileges can potentially enumerate and access information about registered phone accounts. This flaw operates at the system level where phone account data is stored and managed, making it particularly concerning for privacy and security implications. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-284, which specifically addresses Improper Access Control, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as exploitation may involve executing commands to access restricted data.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability significantly impacts user privacy and system security posture. The local information disclosure could potentially expose sensitive telephony account details including phone numbers, account identifiers, and other personal information that may be leveraged for further attacks. Attackers with user-level privileges can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to phone account information, which could then be used for social engineering attacks, identity theft, or to establish persistence within the device. The requirement for user execution privileges means that exploitation does not require elevated system access, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by malware or malicious applications already present on the device. This weakness undermines the fundamental security model of Android's permission system where applications should be restricted from accessing data they are not authorized to view.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-20311 should focus on implementing proper access control checks within the Telecomm module. Android security patches should enforce strict permission validation before allowing access to registered phone account information, ensuring that only authorized applications can retrieve such sensitive data. System administrators and device manufacturers should prioritize applying the latest security updates to address this vulnerability. The fix should involve implementing comprehensive permission checking mechanisms that verify application authorization before exposing phone account details. Additionally, regular security audits should be conducted to identify similar permission bypass vulnerabilities in other system components. Organizations should also implement monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized access attempts to telephony account information. This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of maintaining robust access control mechanisms within mobile operating systems and demonstrates how seemingly minor permission gaps can lead to significant information disclosure risks. The remediation process should include thorough testing to ensure that the permission checks do not break legitimate functionality while effectively preventing unauthorized access to sensitive account information.