CVE-2022-20327 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 08/12/2022
In Wi-Fi, there is a possible way to retrieve the WiFi SSID without location permissions due to a missing permission check. This could lead to local information disclosure with User execution privileges needed. User interaction is needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-13Android ID: A-185126813
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/10/2022
This vulnerability exists within the Android Wi-Fi subsystem where an improper permission check allows unauthorized retrieval of WiFi SSID information without requiring location permissions. The flaw represents a significant privacy and security concern as it enables malicious applications to discover network identifiers that are typically protected under location-based access controls. The vulnerability specifically affects Android 13 systems and is tracked under Android ID A-185126813. The issue stems from the absence of proper authorization verification when accessing WiFi network information, creating an avenue for information disclosure that bypasses intended security boundaries. This weakness allows for potential reconnaissance activities that could aid attackers in mapping wireless network landscapes without proper user consent or authorization.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a missing permission validation mechanism within the Wi-Fi framework where SSID data can be accessed through APIs that should require location permissions. This flaw operates at the system level where network information is exposed to applications that may not have legitimate need for such data. The vulnerability requires user execution privileges to exploit and necessitates user interaction, meaning that while the underlying flaw exists in the system, actual exploitation requires some form of user engagement such as installing a malicious application or performing specific actions. The impact is classified as local information disclosure, which means that the vulnerability can only be exploited on the device itself rather than through remote network attacks.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates risks for user privacy and device security as it allows applications to gather sensitive network information that could be used for various malicious purposes including tracking user movements, identifying network access points, or conducting targeted attacks against specific wireless networks. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 which addresses improper access control mechanisms, specifically in the context of network information access. This weakness could potentially be leveraged by attackers to gather intelligence for more sophisticated attacks or to build profiles of user network usage patterns. The requirement for user execution privileges and interaction means that exploitation typically occurs through social engineering or malicious application installation rather than through automated network-based attacks.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper permission checks within the Wi-Fi subsystem to ensure that SSID information is only accessible when appropriate location permissions are granted. System administrators should ensure that devices are updated with the latest security patches that address this vulnerability. Application developers should be aware of this issue and implement proper access controls in their applications. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining strict permission boundaries in mobile operating systems and highlights the need for comprehensive security reviews of system-level APIs. Organizations should conduct security assessments to identify potential similar weaknesses in their mobile device management policies and ensure that users are educated about the risks of installing untrusted applications that may exploit such vulnerabilities. This case also emphasizes the importance of following ATT&CK framework principles where techniques such as privilege escalation and information gathering may be employed through system-level weaknesses.