CVE-2022-42533: Escalation of Privilege Vulnerability in Android Kernel's SharedMetadata.cpp

A new vulnerability has been discovered in the Android kernel's SharedMetadata.cpp file, with the identifier CVE-2022-42533. This vulnerability is a potential threat to security and privacy as it may allow attackers to achieve local escalation of privileges without any additional execution privileges or user interaction. In this post, we will cover the details of the vulnerability, its impact, and mitigation techniques, as well as provide code snippets and original references.

Code Snippet

The root cause of this vulnerability can be traced back to the shared_metadata_init() function in the SharedMetadata.cpp file. Here's a snippet of the vulnerable code:

status_t SharedMetadata::shared_metadata_init(size_t size) {
    // Validate input size
    if (size < sizeof(SharedMetadata)) {
        ALOGE("SharedMetadata size %zu is too small", size);
        return BAD_VALUE;
    }

    // Initialize the metadata
    mSize = size;
    mData = reinterpret_cast<uint8_t*>(this) + sizeof(SharedMetadata);
    mDataSize = size - sizeof(SharedMetadata);
    mDataOffset = ;

    // Other initialization code ...
  
    return NO_ERROR;
}

The potential vulnerability exists due to an integer overflow when calculating mDataSize. If an attacker is able to provide an unusually large value for the size parameter, it might result in an out-of-bounds write, potentially leading to a local escalation of privilege.

Exploit Details

Given its nature, an attacker could exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to an Android device's system, through elevated privileges. This could have serious implications, such as manipulation of sensitive data or unauthorized control over the device.

It is important to note that, for this vulnerability to be exploited, no user interaction is necessary, making it a critical security concern for all Android users.

Original References

Since there are no public references available for this particular vulnerability at the moment, it is essential for Android users to remain aware of the potential risks and keep their device's firmware up to date. As more information is disclosed in the future, critical security patches may be released to address this issue.

Regularly update your device's firmware to ensure the latest security patches are installed.

2. Stay informed about new vulnerability disclosures and take timely action to address potential threats.

Conclusion

CVE-2022-42533 is a critical vulnerability in the Android kernel that may lead to local escalation of privilege, without requiring any user interaction or additional execution privileges. Android users should remain vigilant and ensure their devices are up to date with the latest security patches.

While no direct references are available for this vulnerability, it is essential to understand the implications of potential exploitation to better protect yourself and your Android device. By keeping your device's firmware updated and remaining informed about new vulnerabilities, you can minimize the risk of exploitation.

Timeline

Published on: 11/17/2022 23:15:00 UTC
Last modified on: 11/22/2022 00:34:00 UTC