CVE-2022-33686 in Smart Phone
Summary
by MITRE • 07/12/2022
Exposure of Sensitive Information in GsmAlarmManager prior to SMR Jul-2022 Release 1 allows local attacker to access iccid via log.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/23/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-33686 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the GsmAlarmManager component of Android systems prior to the SMR July 2022 security release. This vulnerability specifically affects devices running Android versions where the GSM alarm manager module fails to properly sanitize sensitive information during logging operations. The issue stems from the improper handling of SIM card identification data within system logs, creating an avenue for local attackers to extract confidential information through log analysis.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the GsmAlarmManager component which is responsible for managing GSM-related alarms and notifications within the Android operating system. When this component generates log entries, it inadvertently includes sensitive ICCID (Integrated Circuit Card Identifier) information in plaintext format within the log output. The ICCID serves as a unique identifier for SIM cards and contains critical information about the subscriber and the mobile network operator. This exposure occurs because the logging mechanism does not properly filter or redact sensitive data before writing to system logs, which are accessible to local applications with appropriate permissions.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to mobile device security as it allows local attackers to obtain sensitive SIM card information without requiring elevated privileges or network access. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it exploits the inherent trust relationships within the Android system where local applications can access system logs through standard Android APIs. Once an attacker gains access to the ICCID information, they can potentially use this data for identity theft, fraud, or to impersonate legitimate SIM card users within the mobile network ecosystem. The vulnerability affects all devices running affected Android versions where the GsmAlarmManager component has not been patched.
The impact of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-200 (Information Exposure) and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1005 (Data from Local System) within the MITRE ATT&CK framework. The flaw represents a classic case of insufficient logging sanitization where sensitive information flows through system components without proper security controls. Organizations and users should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to mitigate this risk. The recommended mitigation strategy involves applying the SMR July 2022 security updates which contain the necessary fixes to properly sanitize log outputs and prevent sensitive ICCID information from being exposed through system logging mechanisms. Additionally, system administrators should implement monitoring of system logs to detect any anomalous access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper data sanitization in system components that interact with sensitive information and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of logging mechanisms within mobile operating systems.