CVE-2022-20503 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 12/16/2022
In onCreate of WifiDppConfiguratorActivity.java, there is a possible way for a guest user to add a WiFi configuration due to a missing permission 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-13Android ID: A-224772890
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/18/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-20503 resides within the Android operating system's WifiDppConfiguratorActivity component, specifically in the onCreate method where a critical permission check is absent. This flaw affects Android 13 and represents a significant security oversight that allows unauthorized privilege escalation. The vulnerability stems from the lack of proper access control mechanisms that should prevent guest users from performing privileged operations within the WiFi configuration framework.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the WifiDppConfiguratorActivity class which handles Device Provisioning Protocol configurations for WiFi networks. When the onCreate method executes without validating user permissions, it creates an opportunity for guest accounts to bypass normal access controls and add WiFi configurations that would typically be restricted to privileged users. This missing permission validation creates a path for local privilege escalation where guest users can effectively elevate their privileges without requiring any additional malicious code execution or user interaction.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a serious risk to Android device security as it enables unauthorized users to modify network configurations that could potentially redirect traffic or establish malicious connections. The impact extends beyond simple configuration changes since successful exploitation allows for privilege escalation that could enable further malicious activities within the device's security boundaries. The vulnerability's exploitation requires no user interaction, making it particularly concerning as it can be triggered automatically during normal device operations or through malicious applications that leverage the permission gap.
The flaw aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues, and demonstrates how insufficient privilege checks can lead to unauthorized system modifications. This vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation,' as it provides a mechanism for local users to gain elevated privileges without requiring additional attack vectors. The vulnerability's presence in the Android 13 operating system means that a significant number of devices could be affected, particularly those that support guest user accounts and WiFi provisioning features.
Organizations and device manufacturers should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest security patches from Google, implementing additional access controls at the application level, and monitoring for unauthorized WiFi configuration changes. The recommended approach involves ensuring that all WiFi provisioning activities require proper authentication and authorization checks, particularly distinguishing between regular users and guest accounts. Security teams should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect unauthorized WiFi configuration modifications and establish baseline configurations to identify potential exploitation attempts.