CVE-2022-20609 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 12/16/2022
In Pixel cellular firmware, there is a possible out of bounds read due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to local information disclosure with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android kernelAndroid ID: A-239240808References: N/A
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/23/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-20609 represents a critical out-of-bounds read condition within the Pixel cellular firmware implementation. This flaw manifests as a missing bounds check that allows unauthorized data access patterns to occur within memory regions that should remain protected. The issue resides specifically within the Android kernel components that govern cellular communication functionalities, making it particularly concerning for mobile device security. The vulnerability's classification as a potential information disclosure mechanism indicates that an attacker could extract sensitive data from memory locations that should not be accessible through normal operational procedures.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of array indices, and more specifically with CWE-125, which addresses out-of-bounds read conditions. These weaknesses create opportunities for attackers to access memory regions containing confidential information such as cryptographic keys, user credentials, or system configuration data that may be stored in adjacent memory locations. The absence of required user interaction for exploitation makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be triggered automatically without requiring any deliberate user engagement or specific conditions to be met. The Android kernel's cellular subsystem serves as the primary attack surface where this memory corruption can occur, potentially affecting device integrity and user privacy.
From an operational perspective, the impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially compromise the overall security posture of affected devices. Since no additional execution privileges are required for exploitation, even unprivileged processes or applications could potentially leverage this flaw to access sensitive data stored in kernel memory spaces. This creates a scenario where malicious actors could gather intelligence about device configurations, network credentials, or other sensitive information that could be used for further attacks. The vulnerability's presence in the cellular firmware means that any device running affected Android kernel versions could be compromised, potentially affecting millions of users across different Pixel device generations that utilize the same cellular communication protocols.
The exploitation of this vulnerability could enable attackers to perform reconnaissance activities that would otherwise require more sophisticated attack vectors or elevated privileges. Security practitioners should consider this weakness in the context of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly under the technique of T1005 - Data from Local System, where adversaries collect sensitive information from compromised systems. The lack of user interaction requirements makes this vulnerability particularly concerning for automated attack scenarios, where bots or malware could systematically scan for and exploit devices with this specific flaw. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including firmware updates, kernel parameter hardening, and monitoring for unusual memory access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts.
Mitigation efforts should prioritize the deployment of firmware updates provided by Google and device manufacturers to address the specific bounds checking deficiencies in the cellular communication modules. Network administrators should monitor for potential exploitation attempts through unusual cellular data patterns or memory access anomalies that could indicate this vulnerability being leveraged. The implementation of kernel memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and enhanced bounds checking routines would provide additional defense-in-depth measures. Regular security assessments of cellular firmware components should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities that could exist in other system components, ensuring comprehensive protection against memory corruption attacks that could compromise device security and user privacy.