CVE-2022-20458 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 01/26/2023
The logs of sensitive information (PII) or hardware identifier should only be printed in Android "userdebug" or "eng" build. StatusBarNotification.getKey() could contain sensitive information. However, CarNotificationListener.java, it prints out the StatusBarNotification.getKey() directly in logs, which could contain user's account name (i.e. PII), in Android "user" build.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-12LAndroid ID: A-205567776
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/15/2026
This vulnerability resides in the Android operating system's notification handling mechanism, specifically within the CarNotificationListener component that processes notifications for automotive environments. The flaw represents a critical security oversight where sensitive personal information including user account names and other personally identifiable information gets logged inappropriately. The vulnerability stems from the improper handling of notification keys in the StatusBarNotification.getKey() method which can contain confidential data that should remain protected. According to security best practices and industry standards, such sensitive information should only be logged in developer-oriented build variants like "userdebug" or "eng" but not in production "user" builds where end users access the system. The CarNotificationListener.java file directly outputs these notification keys to system logs without proper sanitization or access control measures, creating an information disclosure risk that violates fundamental security principles.
The technical implementation flaw occurs at the logging level where the system fails to implement proper access controls or data sanitization before writing sensitive notification identifiers to log files. This design decision creates a persistent security weakness that can be exploited by malicious actors with access to the device's log files or through forensic analysis of system dumps. The vulnerability specifically affects Android 12L and represents a failure in the principle of least privilege and data minimization. From a cybersecurity perspective, this issue aligns with CWE-200 (Information Exposure) and CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) categories, where sensitive data is stored or transmitted in an insecure manner. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that automotive systems often contain additional sensitive data beyond basic user account information, potentially including vehicle configuration details, location data, or personal preferences that could be extracted from these logs.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks including credential harvesting, user tracking, and targeted social engineering campaigns. Attackers could exploit this weakness to reconstruct user identities, map user behavior patterns, or identify specific individuals within automotive networks. The vulnerability affects Android 12L systems where the CarNotificationListener component operates in production environments without proper security controls. This creates a persistent threat vector that remains active until patched, as the logging mechanism continues to operate in user builds where such sensitive information should not be accessible. The security implications are particularly severe in automotive contexts where personal privacy and vehicle security are paramount, as these logs could reveal intimate details about user habits, preferences, and potentially even vehicle usage patterns that could be leveraged for targeted attacks or commercial exploitation.
The recommended mitigations include implementing proper access controls that prevent sensitive data logging in production builds, introducing data sanitization mechanisms that strip or obfuscate personal identifiers before logging, and applying the principle of least privilege to notification processing components. Organizations should also implement comprehensive log management policies that ensure sensitive information is not stored in accessible locations and that access to system logs is restricted to authorized personnel only. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1070 (Indicator Removal on Host) and T1562.001 (Impair Defenses) where the insecure logging practices create additional attack vectors and reduce the overall security posture. The fix should involve modifying the CarNotificationListener.java implementation to check build variants before logging notification keys and ensuring that any sensitive data is properly masked or removed from log output. Regular security audits and code reviews should be implemented to prevent similar issues in other system components and to maintain compliance with privacy regulations such as GDPR, CCPA, and other applicable data protection frameworks that mandate proper handling of personally identifiable information.