CVE-2022-20552 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 12/16/2022
In btif_a2dp_sink_command_ready of btif_a2dp_sink.cc, there is a possible out of bounds read due to a use after free. This could lead to local information disclosure with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-13Android ID: A-243922806
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/21/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-20552 resides within the Bluetooth A2DP sink component of Android systems, specifically in the btif_a2dp_sink_command_ready function located in btif_a2dp_sink.cc. This represents a critical use after free condition that occurs when the system attempts to access memory that has already been deallocated, creating a potential avenue for information disclosure attacks. The flaw manifests in the Bluetooth audio streaming functionality where the system fails to properly validate memory references during command processing, allowing malicious actors to potentially read sensitive data from freed memory regions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management practices within the Bluetooth subsystem where allocated memory structures are freed but not properly dereferenced or validated before subsequent access attempts. This use after free condition falls under CWE-416, which specifically addresses the use of freed memory, and represents a classic memory safety issue that can be exploited to extract information from system memory. The vulnerability occurs during normal Bluetooth A2DP sink operations when processing audio streaming commands, making it particularly concerning as it can be triggered through standard Bluetooth functionality without requiring any special privileges or user interaction.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables local information disclosure attacks that could potentially expose sensitive system data, configuration information, or cryptographic keys stored in memory. The attack vector requires no additional execution privileges beyond standard Bluetooth functionality, making it accessible to any local user or application with Bluetooth access. The lack of user interaction requirements for exploitation means that an attacker could potentially trigger this vulnerability automatically during normal Bluetooth operations, creating a significant risk for devices that maintain active Bluetooth connections or frequently process audio streaming commands.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the extracted data could potentially reveal system internals, authentication tokens, or other sensitive information that might aid in further exploitation attempts. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1005 which involves data from local system sources, and represents a pathway for attackers to gather intelligence about the target system. Organizations should note that this vulnerability affects Android 13 systems and may potentially impact earlier versions depending on the specific implementation details. The vulnerability's nature suggests that it could be leveraged as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, particularly in environments where Bluetooth connectivity is prevalent and sensitive data may be accessible through the affected subsystem.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper memory validation checks, ensuring that freed memory regions are not accessed, and applying the latest security patches from Android vendors. System administrators should prioritize updating affected devices to versions that contain fixes for this vulnerability, while also monitoring for any unusual Bluetooth-related activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of rigorous memory management practices in mobile operating systems and underscores the need for comprehensive security testing of core system components that handle sensitive data processing operations.