CVE-2022-21790 in MT6833
Summary
by MITRE • 08/01/2022
In camera isp, there is a possible out of bounds read due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to local information disclosure with System execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. Patch ID: ALPS06479306; Issue ID: ALPS06479306.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/29/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-21790 resides within the camera image signal processor subsystem of a mobile device operating system, specifically affecting the Android platform through the Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset. This issue represents a classic out-of-bounds memory read condition that occurs when the camera subsystem processes image data without proper validation of array boundaries. The flaw exists in the ISP (Image Signal Processor) component responsible for handling raw image data from camera sensors and converting it into processed image formats suitable for display or storage. The absence of bounds checking in the data processing pipeline allows malicious actors to manipulate input data in such a way that memory locations outside the intended array boundaries are accessed, potentially exposing sensitive information stored in adjacent memory regions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to have system execution privileges, which typically corresponds to the highest level of access within the operating system. This privilege level is usually obtained through a successful attack chain that may involve other vulnerabilities or by leveraging legitimate system administration capabilities. The vulnerability does not require user interaction for exploitation, meaning that an attacker with system-level access can trigger the condition without needing to persuade a user to perform any specific actions such as clicking a link or opening a file. The attack vector operates entirely within the system's memory space, making it particularly concerning as it can be used to extract sensitive information from memory locations that should remain protected. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-129 category of "Improper Validation of Array Index" and more specifically aligns with CWE-125 "Out-of-bounds Read" which is classified as a critical weakness in software security.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can potentially expose sensitive system data, cryptographic keys, or other confidential information stored in memory. The camera subsystem's ISP component processes data that may contain user information, application data, or system credentials that could be inadvertently exposed through this memory access violation. When an attacker successfully exploits this condition, they can potentially read memory contents that were not intended to be accessible, leading to potential data breaches or further privilege escalation opportunities. The vulnerability's classification as a local information disclosure means that an attacker must already possess system-level privileges to exploit it, but the implications of such an exploitation can be significant in terms of data exposure and potential for further attacks. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability would be categorized under the MITRE ATT&CK technique T1005 "Data from Local System" as it involves extracting information from system memory, and potentially T1059 "Command and Scripting Interpreter" if the attacker uses the disclosed information to execute further commands.
The patch addressing this vulnerability, identified by patch ID ALPS06479306 and issue ID ALPS06479306, implements proper bounds checking mechanisms within the camera ISP subsystem to prevent unauthorized memory access. This fix typically involves adding validation checks before array access operations to ensure that all indices remain within the valid range of the allocated memory. System administrators and device manufacturers should prioritize applying this patch to mitigate the risk of information disclosure through this memory access violation. The patch implementation requires careful testing to ensure that legitimate camera functionality remains intact while properly addressing the bounds checking issue. Organizations should also conduct vulnerability assessments to identify systems running affected software versions and implement monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Given the nature of the vulnerability and its potential impact on system security, regular security updates and patch management processes should be maintained to protect against similar issues that may arise in other subsystems of the operating system.