CVE-2022-20326 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 08/12/2022
In Telephony, there is a possible disclosure of SIM identifiers 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-185235527
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/10/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-20326 resides within the Android telephony subsystem and represents a critical permission oversight that enables unauthorized disclosure of SIM identifiers. This flaw exists in Android 13 and affects the underlying telephony services that manage subscriber identity information. The vulnerability stems from insufficient access controls within the telephony framework, specifically in how SIM-related identifiers are handled and exposed to user-level applications. The missing permission check creates an exploitable path where malicious applications can access sensitive subscriber information without proper authorization, fundamentally compromising the security boundaries that should protect SIM card data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a clear violation of the principle of least privilege, where applications can retrieve SIM card identifiers through improper access to telephony services. The flaw manifests when user-level applications attempt to access SIM-related information through the telephony API without requiring the appropriate permission grants that should normally be enforced. This missing validation mechanism allows for direct exposure of International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) and other SIM card identifiers that should remain protected within the system's security boundaries. The vulnerability operates at the system level where telephony services interface with application frameworks, creating an attack surface that bypasses normal security checks.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables local information disclosure that can have significant implications for user privacy and security. An attacker with user-level execution privileges can exploit this weakness to extract sensitive SIM card identifiers, which can then be used for various malicious activities including location tracking, targeted attacks, and identity impersonation. The implications extend beyond simple data exposure since SIM identifiers are fundamental components in mobile network authentication and can be leveraged in conjunction with other techniques to compromise user security. The lack of user interaction requirement for exploitation makes this vulnerability particularly concerning as it can be triggered automatically without any deliberate user action.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in software systems, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1082 for system information discovery. The vulnerability represents a failure in the Android security model to properly enforce access controls for sensitive telephony data, creating a persistent risk for all Android 13 devices. Organizations and users should be particularly concerned about the potential for this vulnerability to be combined with other attack vectors, creating more sophisticated exploitation scenarios. The impact extends to enterprise environments where mobile device management systems may be compromised through the exposure of SIM identifiers, potentially enabling broader network infiltration attempts.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper permission enforcement and access control mechanisms within the telephony framework. Android security updates should be prioritized to address the missing permission checks and ensure that proper authentication and authorization procedures are enforced for SIM-related data access. System administrators should monitor for any unauthorized access attempts to telephony services and implement additional security controls to prevent exploitation. The vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security audits of system-level services and proper implementation of security controls that prevent unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information. Users should be encouraged to maintain updated Android versions and avoid installing untrusted applications that may attempt to exploit this weakness.