CVE-2022-20462 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 11/09/2022
In phNxpNciHal_write_unlocked of phNxpNciHal.cc, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-10 Android-11 Android-12 Android-12L Android-13Android ID: A-230356196
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/15/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-20462 resides within the phNxpNciHal_write_unlocked function in the phNxpNciHal.cc source file of Android systems. This represents a critical security flaw that affects multiple Android versions including Android 10 through Android 13, along with Android 12L. The vulnerability manifests as a potential out of bounds write condition that stems from the absence of proper bounds checking mechanisms within the NFC hardware abstraction layer implementation.
This security weakness specifically targets the NFC (Near Field Communication) hardware abstraction layer component responsible for managing communication between the Android system and NFC hardware. The missing bounds check in the write_unlocked function creates an exploitable condition where malicious code could write data beyond the allocated memory boundaries. The flaw does not require any special user interaction or additional execution privileges for exploitation, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged for local privilege escalation attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption as it enables local escalation of privilege, allowing an attacker with limited access to escalate their privileges to system level access. This represents a significant security risk as it could potentially allow malicious actors to gain unauthorized control over critical system functions and access sensitive data. The vulnerability affects the core NFC communication functionality and could be exploited to compromise the integrity of the Android security model. According to the Android security advisory A-230356196, this flaw demonstrates a clear path for privilege escalation through improper memory management in the NFC HAL implementation.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of array indices, and represents a classic example of memory safety issues in systems programming. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique, specifically falling under the category of "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" where an adversary leverages software vulnerabilities to gain higher-level permissions. The vulnerability's exploitation requires no user interaction, making it particularly concerning as it can be triggered automatically through system processes or malicious applications that have access to NFC functionality.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper bounds checking mechanisms within the NFC hardware abstraction layer, ensuring that all memory access operations include appropriate validation checks before data is written to memory regions. System updates and patches from Android security teams should be applied immediately to address this vulnerability. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual NFC-related activities that might indicate exploitation attempts, and system administrators should consider implementing additional access controls for NFC functionality to limit potential attack surface. The fix should include comprehensive input validation and memory boundary checks that prevent unauthorized data writes beyond allocated memory regions, ensuring the stability and security of the NFC subsystem.