CVE-2022-22285 in Reminder
Summary
by MITRE • 01/10/2022
A vulnerability using PendingIntent in Reminder prior to version 12.2.05.0 in Android R(11.0) and 12.3.02.1000 in Android S(12.0) allows attackers to execute privileged action by hijacking and modifying the intent.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/13/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-22285 represents a critical security flaw in Android's PendingIntent mechanism within the Reminder application framework. This issue affects specific versions of Android operating systems including Android R version 12.2.05.0 and Android S version 12.3.02.1000, creating a pathway for malicious actors to escalate privileges through improper intent handling. The flaw resides in how PendingIntent objects are constructed and managed, particularly when dealing with reminder functionality that should be restricted to authorized users only.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation and sanitization of PendingIntent objects within the Android framework. When Reminder applications create PendingIntent instances to schedule notifications or actions, the system fails to properly secure these objects against modification by unauthorized parties. This weakness allows attackers to intercept existing PendingIntent objects and alter their target intents, effectively hijacking the execution flow to perform actions that should be restricted to privileged users or system components. The vulnerability specifically exploits the lack of proper access controls when PendingIntent objects are created with FLAG_UPDATE_CURRENT or similar flags that permit modification of existing intents.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for Android devices as it enables privilege escalation attacks that could result in unauthorized access to sensitive system functions. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, potentially gaining access to personal data, system resources, or other applications' data. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as the compromised PendingIntent objects may allow attackers to modify system configurations, install malicious applications, or perform other malicious activities that would normally require system-level permissions. The vulnerability affects the core Android security model by undermining the principle of least privilege enforcement within the PendingIntent framework.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-22285 should focus on implementing proper PendingIntent security controls and ensuring that applications follow secure coding practices when handling intent objects. Organizations should prioritize updating affected Android versions to the latest secure releases where the vulnerability has been patched. Security controls should include implementing proper intent validation, using immutable PendingIntent objects where possible, and ensuring that FLAG_UPDATE_CURRENT flags are not used unnecessarily. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 which addresses improper access control, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1068 which involves exploiting legitimate credentials and privileges. System administrators should conduct thorough security assessments of all reminder and notification-based applications to identify potential exposure and implement proper access control mechanisms. The patching process must be prioritized to ensure that all affected Android devices receive the necessary security updates that address the core PendingIntent handling flaws in the operating system framework.