CVE-2022-3917 in Mobility e20
Summary
by MITRE • 12/15/2022
Improper access control of bootloader function was discovered in Motorola Mobility Motorola e20 prior to version RONS31.267-38-8 allows attacker with local access to read partition or RAM data.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/12/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-3917 represents a critical improper access control flaw within the bootloader implementation of Motorola Mobility's Motorola e20 smartphone model. This weakness exists in firmware versions prior to RONS31.267-38-8 and fundamentally compromises the device's security architecture by allowing unauthorized local access to sensitive system partitions and memory regions. The bootloader serves as the first line of defense in device security, establishing trust boundaries and enforcing access controls that protect against unauthorized data extraction and system manipulation. When access controls are improperly implemented within this critical component, it creates a persistent security weakness that can be exploited by adversaries with physical access to the device.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation and authorization checks within the bootloader's function execution pathways. Attackers with local access can leverage this flaw to bypass normal security boundaries and directly read partition data or access RAM contents without proper authentication. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates inadequate input validation mechanisms within the bootloader's security framework. The vulnerability essentially creates a backdoor access point that allows extraction of sensitive information such as cryptographic keys, system configuration data, user credentials, and other confidential data stored in protected memory regions. From a cybersecurity perspective, this flaw aligns with CWE-284, which specifically addresses improper access control vulnerabilities, and represents a significant deviation from secure boot implementation standards.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-3917 extends beyond simple data theft, as it enables attackers to potentially extract sensitive system information that could facilitate further exploitation or compromise of the device. Local access to partition data may reveal system binaries, configuration files, and other components that could be analyzed to identify additional vulnerabilities or attack vectors. The ability to read RAM contents poses particular risk as it may expose running processes, active connections, and temporary data that could include session tokens, encryption keys, or other transient sensitive information. This vulnerability can be exploited in various attack scenarios including physical device compromise, supply chain attacks, or targeted social engineering campaigns where attackers gain physical access to the device. The impact is particularly concerning given that the affected device model represents a consumer-grade smartphone that may contain personal data, corporate information, or other sensitive content that could be valuable to threat actors.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on firmware updates and system hardening measures. Motorola should immediately release and deploy firmware patches that address the improper access control implementation within the bootloader, ensuring that all affected devices receive timely security updates. Device users should be strongly encouraged to update their firmware to version RONS31.267-38-8 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Additionally, organizations should implement robust device management policies that include regular firmware update verification and monitoring for vulnerable devices within their inventory. From a defensive standpoint, this vulnerability highlights the importance of secure boot implementation and proper access control enforcement at the lowest levels of system architecture. Security teams should consider implementing device integrity monitoring, memory analysis capabilities, and regular security assessments to detect potential exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under privilege escalation and credential access tactics, emphasizing the need for comprehensive defensive measures that address both the immediate vulnerability and potential exploitation paths.