CVE-2022-42499 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 03/24/2023
In sms_SendMmCpErrMsg of sms_MmConManagement.c, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a heap buffer overflow. This could lead to remote code execution with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android kernelAndroid ID: A-242001391References: N/A
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/14/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-42499 represents a critical heap buffer overflow flaw within the Android kernel's telephony subsystem. This issue resides in the sms_SendMmCpErrMsg function located in the sms_MmConManagement.c source file, which handles multimedia message communication protocols. The flaw manifests as an out-of-bounds write condition that occurs when processing certain incoming SMS messages, specifically those related to multimedia messaging center communications. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by its potential to enable remote code execution without requiring any additional privileges or user interaction, making it particularly dangerous in mobile environments where users may unknowingly trigger exploitation through routine messaging activities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the memory management functions that handle message processing. When the system receives a malformed or specially crafted multimedia message, the sms_SendMmCpErrMsg function fails to validate the size of incoming data before writing to allocated heap memory regions. This allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting critical system structures or injecting malicious code. The heap buffer overflow occurs during the processing of message headers or payload data, where the system allocates memory based on expected message parameters but receives data that exceeds these predetermined boundaries. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of improper input validation leading to memory corruption.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-42499 extends beyond simple data corruption, as it provides a pathway for complete system compromise without requiring user interaction or elevated privileges. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by sending a specially crafted multimedia message to a target device, triggering the buffer overflow condition that may result in arbitrary code execution within the kernel context. This capability allows for persistent system compromise, enabling attackers to gain full control over the device, access sensitive user data, and potentially establish backdoors for continued unauthorized access. The vulnerability's exploitation requires no user interaction, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users receive unsolicited messages or when the device is used in public networks. The Android ID A-242001391 indicates this flaw affects the Android kernel's telephony management functions, specifically those responsible for multimedia messaging center communications and message delivery protocols.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate system updates and patches provided by device manufacturers and Google. Organizations should implement network-based monitoring to detect and block suspicious message patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The security community should also consider deploying network segmentation controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Additionally, mobile device management solutions should enforce strict message filtering policies and disable unnecessary multimedia messaging features when possible. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management and input validation in kernel-level code, as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's system binary modification techniques. Regular security audits of telephony and messaging components should be conducted to identify similar buffer overflow conditions that may exist in other system functions. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of patched code to ensure that the buffer overflow conditions have been properly addressed while maintaining system functionality and performance.