CVE-2022-20577 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 12/16/2022
In OemSimAuthRequest::encode of wlandata.cpp, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with System execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android kernelAndroid ID: A-241762281References: N/A
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/22/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-20577 represents a critical out-of-bounds write flaw within the Android kernel's wireless networking subsystem. This issue resides in the OemSimAuthRequest::encode function located in the wlandata.cpp source file, where a fundamental bounds checking mechanism has been omitted during the implementation of data encoding operations. The absence of proper boundary validation creates an exploitable condition that allows malicious code to write data beyond the allocated memory boundaries of the affected buffer structure. Such a flaw fundamentally compromises the memory integrity of the kernel space, creating potential pathways for unauthorized privilege escalation.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-787, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds write conditions in software implementations. The flaw occurs during the encoding process of OEM SIM authentication requests, which are critical components in wireless network authentication procedures. When the system processes these authentication requests, the missing bounds check allows an attacker to potentially overwrite adjacent memory locations with controlled data. This memory corruption can result in arbitrary code execution within the kernel context, which is particularly dangerous given that kernel-level execution privileges provide the highest level of system access. The vulnerability requires system execution privileges for exploitation, indicating that it operates at the kernel level where such privileges are necessary to trigger the flawed code path.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe threat to Android device security as it enables local privilege escalation without requiring user interaction. Attackers can leverage this flaw to elevate their privileges from standard user-level access to system-level control, effectively gaining complete administrative control over the device. The implications extend beyond simple privilege escalation as the kernel-level access allows for complete system compromise, including potential data exfiltration, persistent backdoor installation, and complete device takeover. The fact that exploitation does not require user interaction makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be triggered automatically during normal device operation when wireless authentication requests are processed.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to privilege escalation and kernel exploitation. The attack vector involves leveraging kernel memory corruption to achieve system-level control, which maps to ATT&CK technique T1068. The lack of user interaction requirement places this vulnerability in the category of automatic exploitation methods, potentially enabling automated attack frameworks to target vulnerable devices. Security practitioners should consider this vulnerability as part of broader kernel exploitation campaigns that target memory safety issues in mobile operating systems. The Android ID A-241762281 indicates this was properly tracked and documented within Google's security infrastructure, highlighting the severity and recognition of the issue by the Android security team.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-20577 must focus on immediate patch deployment and system hardening measures. Organizations should prioritize updating their Android kernel implementations to versions that include the necessary bounds checking mechanisms in the OemSimAuthRequest::encode function. The patch implementation should include comprehensive input validation and boundary checks to prevent any potential buffer overflow conditions. Additionally, system administrators should implement monitoring solutions to detect anomalous wireless authentication request patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The recommended approach includes regular security audits of kernel components, implementation of kernel address space layout randomization, and deployment of exploit detection mechanisms. Given the severity of the privilege escalation potential, immediate remediation is essential to protect against potential exploitation by threat actors who may be actively targeting this vulnerability in the wild.