CVE-2022-32617 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 11/09/2022
In typec, there is a possible out of bounds write due to an incorrect calculation of buffer size. This could lead to local escalation of privilege, for an attacker who has physical access to the device, with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. Patch ID: ALPS07262364; Issue ID: ALPS07262364.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-32617 affects the typec component within the Android operating system, specifically targeting the kernel-level implementation of USB Type-C controller drivers. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that stems from improper buffer size calculation during memory allocation processes. The issue manifests as an out-of-bounds write condition that occurs when the system attempts to handle Type-C connection events and related data processing. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited through local means without requiring any additional privileges or user interaction, making it especially dangerous in physical access scenarios.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the incorrect computation of buffer dimensions when processing Type-C related data structures. When the typec driver receives input data from hardware events, it calculates the required buffer space based on flawed mathematical operations or incorrect assumptions about input data size. This miscalculation results in insufficient buffer allocation, causing subsequent memory writes to overflow into adjacent memory regions. The flaw specifically impacts the kernel's memory management routines where Type-C connection state information is processed and stored. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-787, which addresses out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique under T1068, where an attacker leverages a system vulnerability to gain elevated privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, particularly for devices where physical access can be obtained by malicious actors. An attacker with physical possession of a vulnerable device can exploit this flaw to achieve local privilege escalation, effectively elevating their system access level from regular user to root or kernel level. This escalation occurs without requiring any additional authentication or execution privileges, making the attack vector extremely efficient. The lack of user interaction requirements means that exploitation can occur automatically upon device connection or during normal operation when Type-C events are processed. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where devices may be left unattended or where physical security controls are insufficient. The patch ID ALPS07262364 indicates that this is a specific Android Linux kernel issue affecting devices manufactured by a particular vendor, with the patch addressing the buffer size calculation logic.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of the vendor-provided security patch, which corrects the buffer size calculation algorithm within the typec driver component. System administrators should prioritize deployment of the ALPS07262364 patch across all affected devices, particularly those in high-security environments or those that may be physically accessible to unauthorized individuals. Organizations should also implement monitoring solutions to detect unusual Type-C connection patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additional defensive measures include enabling kernel address space layout randomization, implementing stack canaries, and configuring proper memory protection mechanisms. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and buffer management in kernel-space code, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security testing of low-level system components. Regular security audits of kernel modules and driver implementations should be conducted to identify similar calculation errors that could lead to privilege escalation vulnerabilities.