CVE-2022-20074 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A vulnerability has been identified in MediaTek devices, potentially allowing local escalation of privilege via physical access to the device without additional execution privileges.

Understanding CVE-2022-20074

This CVE affects a wide range of MediaTek products running specific versions of the Android operating system.

What is CVE-2022-20074?

The vulnerability exists in the preloader partition, where an out-of-bounds write can occur due to a missing bounds check. This flaw could be exploited by an attacker requiring user interaction for escalation of privilege.

The Impact of CVE-2022-20074

An attacker with physical access to the device could exploit this vulnerability to elevate privileges locally without needing any additional execution permissions. This could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-20074

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability stems from a missing bounds check in the preloader partition, allowing an attacker to write outside the intended boundaries, leading to privilege escalation.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts a wide range of MediaTek devices running Android versions 10.0, 11.0, and 12.0.

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would need physical access to the device, as well as user interaction to trigger the out-of-bounds write.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

It is recommended to apply the provided patch (Patch ID: ALPS06183301) to address this vulnerability promptly. Device users should exercise caution and avoid untrusted physical access.

Long-Term Security Practices

To enhance security posture, users should regularly update their devices with the latest security patches and follow best practices for securing physical access to their devices.

Patching and Updates

MediaTek has released information regarding this vulnerability in their security bulletin for April 2022.