CVE-2022-42507 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 12/16/2022
In ProtocolSimBuilder::BuildSimUpdatePb3gEntry of protocolsimbuilder.cpp, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with System execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android kernelAndroid ID: A-241388774References: N/A
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/17/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-42507 represents a critical out-of-bounds write flaw within the Android kernel's ProtocolSimBuilder component, specifically in the BuildSimUpdatePb3gEntry function located in protocolsimbuilder.cpp. This issue arises from the absence of proper bounds checking mechanisms that should validate array access operations before writing data to memory locations. The flaw exists within the kernel's telecommunications simulation framework, which handles 3G protocol updates and system simulation processes. The missing validation allows malicious code to potentially write data beyond the allocated memory boundaries of the target array, creating opportunities for memory corruption and system instability.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within CWE-787, which defines out-of-bounds write conditions as a critical class of memory safety issues. This flaw operates at the kernel level where system privileges are already elevated, making the potential impact significantly more severe than typical user-space vulnerabilities. The vulnerability requires system execution privileges for exploitation, indicating that an attacker must already have some level of system-level access or be able to escalate privileges to the kernel level. The absence of user interaction requirements makes this particularly concerning as it could be exploited through automated means without requiring direct user engagement or specific user actions.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a pathway for local privilege escalation attacks that could allow an attacker with system-level privileges to gain higher-level administrative access to the Android kernel. The exploitation process would involve crafting specific input data that triggers the out-of-bounds write condition, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution with kernel-level privileges. This could enable attackers to modify critical system components, access sensitive data, or establish persistent backdoors within the device's operating system. The vulnerability affects Android kernel implementations and is tracked under Android ID A-241388774, indicating its integration within the Android security tracking system.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper bounds checking mechanisms within the ProtocolSimBuilder::BuildSimUpdatePb3gEntry function. Security patches should include validation of array indices before memory writes, ensuring that all array access operations are properly bounded and validated against allocated memory regions. System administrators and device manufacturers should prioritize applying the relevant kernel updates and security patches provided by Google and device vendors. Additionally, runtime protections such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and memory protection mechanisms should be enhanced to provide additional layers of defense. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would place it within the privilege escalation category, specifically targeting kernel-level access and system integrity compromise. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring of kernel-level activities and memory access patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts, while also maintaining up-to-date security configurations and applying the latest security patches to prevent successful exploitation.