CVE-2022-42524 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 12/16/2022
In sms_GetTpUdlIe of sms_PduCodec.c, there is a possible out of bounds read due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to remote information disclosure with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android kernelAndroid ID: A-243401445References: N/A
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/17/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-42524 represents a critical out-of-bounds read condition within the Android kernel's SMS processing functionality. This issue resides in the sms_GetTpUdlIe function located within the sms_PduCodec.c source file, which handles the decoding of SMS protocol data units. The flaw manifests when the system processes received SMS messages containing specific payload structures that trigger an unchecked memory access pattern. The absence of proper bounds validation during the parsing of user-supplied SMS data creates an exploitable condition that allows unauthorized information disclosure without requiring any special privileges or user interaction for successful exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the SMS protocol decoder component. When the sms_GetTpUdlIe function processes incoming SMS messages, it fails to verify that array indices or buffer offsets remain within acceptable limits before accessing memory locations. This missing bounds check creates a scenario where maliciously crafted SMS messages can cause the kernel to read beyond allocated memory boundaries, potentially exposing sensitive kernel memory contents including cryptographic keys, system credentials, or other confidential data. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level, making it particularly dangerous as it can access memory spaces that should normally be protected from user-space applications. This type of flaw maps directly to CWE-129, which specifically addresses insufficient bounds checking, and represents a classic example of how improper input validation can lead to information disclosure vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive kernel memory segments that could contain system secrets or configuration details. Since no user interaction is required for exploitation, an attacker can remotely trigger this vulnerability by sending a specially crafted SMS message to a target device. The remote nature of the attack vector makes this particularly concerning for mobile devices that are constantly receiving SMS communications, as the exploitation can occur without the victim's knowledge or consent. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and control communication patterns, though it specifically enables information gathering rather than execution. The attack surface is broad as it affects all Android devices running vulnerable kernel versions, making it a significant concern for device manufacturers and security administrators.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-42524 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from device manufacturers, as this vulnerability represents a critical security risk that can be exploited remotely without user interaction. Organizations should implement SMS filtering mechanisms to block suspicious or malformed messages at network boundaries, though this approach provides only partial protection as the vulnerability exists within the kernel processing layer. System administrators should monitor for unusual SMS traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts and maintain regular security updates to ensure devices remain protected against known vulnerabilities. Additionally, implementing memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and kernel memory protection features can help reduce the effectiveness of exploitation attempts even if the primary vulnerability is not patched. The vulnerability highlights the importance of comprehensive input validation in kernel-level code and demonstrates how seemingly minor missing bounds checks can lead to significant security implications. Device manufacturers should also consider implementing additional runtime protections and monitoring systems to detect anomalous memory access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.