CVE-2022-20422 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 10/12/2022
In emulation_proc_handler of armv8_deprecated.c, there is a possible way to corrupt memory due to a race condition. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android kernelAndroid ID: A-237540956References: Upstream kernel
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/13/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-20422 represents a critical race condition flaw within the Android kernel's ARM architecture emulation subsystem. This issue manifests specifically within the emulation_proc_handler function located in the armv8_deprecated.c source file, where improper synchronization mechanisms allow for potential memory corruption during concurrent access scenarios. The vulnerability's classification as a local privilege escalation vector indicates that an attacker with minimal privileges can exploit this flaw to gain elevated system access without requiring additional execution capabilities or user interaction, making it particularly dangerous in mobile environments where kernel-level access can provide complete system compromise.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate protection against race conditions during process handler operations within the ARMv8 emulation layer. When multiple threads or processes attempt to access or modify shared kernel memory regions simultaneously through the emulation_proc_handler function, the absence of proper locking mechanisms creates opportunities for memory corruption. This type of race condition vulnerability aligns with CWE-362, which specifically addresses race conditions that can lead to security vulnerabilities through improper synchronization. The flaw demonstrates how concurrent access control failures in kernel space can be exploited to manipulate critical system data structures, potentially allowing attackers to modify kernel memory contents or redirect execution flow.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-20422 extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it enables local privilege escalation without user interaction requirements, which significantly increases the exploitability and potential damage. This characteristic places the vulnerability within the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation techniques, specifically under T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through kernel vulnerabilities. The fact that exploitation requires no additional execution privileges means that even unprivileged users or applications running within the Android environment can potentially leverage this flaw. The vulnerability affects Android kernel implementations, making it particularly concerning for mobile device security where kernel-level exploits can provide complete device compromise, including access to all user data, communications, and system resources.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper synchronization mechanisms within the kernel's emulation subsystem to prevent concurrent access issues in the affected function. System administrators and device manufacturers should prioritize applying upstream kernel patches that address the race condition through appropriate locking mechanisms or atomic operations. The recommended approach includes implementing mutex locks or other synchronization primitives around critical sections of the emulation_proc_handler function to ensure exclusive access during memory modifications. Additionally, regular kernel updates and security patches should be deployed immediately to protect against exploitation attempts, as this vulnerability represents a high-severity threat that can be exploited silently without user awareness. The vulnerability's classification as a kernel-level race condition also necessitates comprehensive system monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and may require additional security measures such as kernel address space layout randomization and other exploit mitigation techniques.