CVE-2022-26469 in MT6580
Summary
by MITRE • 09/06/2022
In MtkEmail, there is a possible escalation of privilege due to fragment injection. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. Patch ID: ALPS07216598; Issue ID: ALPS07216598.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/14/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-26469 affects the MtkEmail application on MediaTek-based devices, representing a critical privilege escalation flaw that allows attackers to gain elevated system permissions without requiring additional execution privileges or user interaction. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of fragment injection within the email application's code execution flow. The flaw exists in the email processing component that handles URL fragments and web content parsing, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to manipulate the application's behavior and elevate their privileges to system level access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a fragment injection attack vector that exploits how the MtkEmail application processes and interprets URL fragments within email content. When the application parses email messages containing specially crafted fragment URLs, it fails to properly sanitize or validate the fragment data before processing. This allows attackers to inject malicious code or manipulate the application's execution flow to gain unauthorized access to system resources. The vulnerability operates at the application level but can potentially provide access to underlying system capabilities, making it particularly dangerous for mobile device security. According to CWE classification, this represents a weakness in input validation and improper handling of fragment data, specifically falling under CWE-74 and CWE-79 categories related to injection flaws and improper neutralization of special elements.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-26469 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it creates a persistent security risk that can be exploited without user interaction, making it particularly concerning for mobile device environments. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious code with system-level privileges, potentially enabling them to access sensitive user data, modify system configurations, or install persistent backdoors. The lack of user interaction requirement means that simply receiving an email containing malicious fragments can trigger the exploit, making it highly automated and dangerous. This vulnerability affects devices running MediaTek chipsets where the MtkEmail application is installed, with potential implications for enterprise security and personal data protection. The patch ID ALPS07216598 indicates that MediaTek has addressed this issue in their software update cycle, but devices that have not received the update remain vulnerable to exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patch deployment across all affected MediaTek-based devices, particularly those in enterprise environments where security is paramount. Organizations should implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish baseline security configurations that limit email application privileges. The fix typically involves implementing proper input sanitization and validation mechanisms for fragment handling within the email application, ensuring that all URL fragments are properly escaped or filtered before processing. Security teams should also consider implementing email filtering solutions that can detect and block potentially malicious fragments in email content. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques involving privilege escalation and execution through application-specific exploits, making it relevant to both T1068 (Local Privilege Escalation) and T1566 (Phishing) tactics. Regular security assessments should include verification that the patch has been properly applied and that no other similar injection vulnerabilities exist within the email application or related components.