CVE-2022-23997 in Wear OS
Summary
by MITRE • 02/11/2022
Unprotected component vulnerability in StTheaterModeDurationAlarmReceiver in Wear OS 3.0 prior to Firmware update Feb-2022 Release allows untrusted applications to disable theater mode without a proper permission.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/17/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-23997 represents a critical security flaw in Wear OS 3.0 systems prior to the February 2022 firmware update. This issue resides within the StTheaterModeDurationAlarmReceiver component, which is responsible for managing theater mode duration on wearable devices. The flaw constitutes an unprotected component vulnerability that fundamentally undermines the security model of the operating system by allowing unauthorized applications to manipulate core system functionality without proper authorization. The vulnerability specifically enables untrusted applications to disable theater mode, a feature designed to provide users with a distraction-free environment during media consumption or presentations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient access controls and permission validation within the Wear OS framework. The StTheaterModeDurationAlarmReceiver component fails to properly validate the identity and authorization status of applications attempting to interact with theater mode functionality. This weakness creates an attack surface where malicious or poorly designed applications can exploit the lack of proper authentication mechanisms to modify system behavior. The vulnerability operates at the system level, bypassing normal permission checking procedures that should normally prevent unauthorized modifications to core device features. From a cybersecurity perspective, this represents a privilege escalation vulnerability that allows applications to perform actions typically restricted to system-level processes or trusted components.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple functionality disruption to potentially compromise user privacy and device security. Theater mode serves as a protective feature that prevents notifications and other interruptions during important activities such as watching videos, attending meetings, or viewing sensitive content. When an untrusted application can disable this mode, it creates opportunities for unwanted interruptions, potential information disclosure, and disruption of user experience. The vulnerability also represents a broader concern for wearable device security, as it demonstrates the potential for malicious applications to undermine fundamental system protections that users rely upon for privacy and security. This weakness could enable more sophisticated attacks where adversaries use theater mode manipulation as a stepping stone for additional system compromises.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The most direct solution involves applying the February 2022 firmware update that specifically addresses this issue by implementing proper permission checks and access controls within the StTheaterModeDurationAlarmReceiver component. System administrators and device manufacturers should ensure that all Wear OS devices receive this update promptly to eliminate the vulnerability. Additionally, application developers should implement proper security practices when creating wearable applications, including requesting appropriate permissions and validating system interactions. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which describes improper access control, and could be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1546.007 for bypassing security features. Organizations should also consider implementing application sandboxing and runtime monitoring to detect and prevent unauthorized system modifications. Regular security assessments of wearable device ecosystems are essential to identify similar unprotected components that may present analogous security risks.