CVE-2022-20522 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 12/16/2022
In getSlice of ProviderModelSlice.java, there is a missing permission check. This could lead to local escalation of privilege from the guest user with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-13Android ID: A-227470877
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/20/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-20522 resides within the Android operating system's ProviderModelSlice.java component, specifically in the getSlice method implementation. This flaw represents a critical permission bypass issue that allows unauthorized access to sensitive system resources. The vulnerability affects Android 13 and is tracked under Android ID A-227470877, indicating its severity and the need for immediate attention. The missing permission check creates an exploitable condition where a guest user can escalate their privileges without requiring additional execution privileges or user interaction, making this particularly dangerous in multi-user environments.
The technical implementation flaw occurs in the getSlice method where proper access control validation is omitted. This method likely handles slice data retrieval for system components, but fails to verify whether the requesting user has appropriate permissions to access the requested resources. The absence of this permission verification creates a direct path for privilege escalation, allowing a low-privileged guest user to gain elevated system access. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which specifically addresses improper access control issues in software implementations, and represents a classic example of insufficient privilege checking in Android's system framework.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it enables attackers to potentially access sensitive system information, modify critical configurations, or execute unauthorized operations within the Android environment. The lack of user interaction requirement makes exploitation particularly concerning, as it can be automated and does not rely on social engineering or user deception. This vulnerability could be leveraged to compromise the integrity of the Android system, potentially affecting all applications and data managed by the affected device. The guest user context suggests this could impact multi-user devices where separate user profiles exist, creating additional attack vectors for malicious actors who might gain access to less privileged accounts.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing comprehensive access control checks within the getSlice method and similar system components. Android security patches should enforce strict permission validation before allowing any slice data retrieval operations. System administrators and device manufacturers should prioritize applying the relevant security updates as soon as they become available. Additionally, monitoring for unauthorized access attempts and implementing robust logging mechanisms around slice operations can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining strict access control boundaries within Android's system framework and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers the use of local privilege escalation techniques. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security measures such as application sandboxing and regular security audits to prevent similar issues from occurring in other system components.