CVE-2022-46152 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

A vulnerability has been discovered in OP-TEE Trusted OS versions prior to 3.19.0, affecting the

cleanup_shm_refs()

function. This vulnerability could allow an attacker in the normal world to execute arbitrary code or escalate privileges from the normal world to the secure world.

Understanding CVE-2022-46152

OP-TEE Trusted OS is the secure side implementation of the OP-TEE project, a Trusted Execution Environment. The vulnerability arises due to improper validation of array index in the

cleanup_shm_refs()

function, potentially leading to local privilege escalation.

What is CVE-2022-46152?

OP-TEE Trusted OS versions prior to 3.19.0 are impacted by an Improper Validation of Array Index vulnerability in the

cleanup_shm_refs()

function. This vulnerability allows an attacker in the normal world to exploit the lack of validation in certain SMC calls.

The Impact of CVE-2022-46152

The vulnerability enables an attacker with permission to execute SMC instructions to potentially cause out-of-bounds reading in

cleanup_shm_refs()

and the freeing of fake objects in the

mobj_put()

function. Maintainers believe this flaw permits local privilege escalation from the normal world to the secure world.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-46152

This section delves into the specifics of the vulnerability including the description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability stems from a lack of validation of the

num_params

argument in the

cleanup_shm_refs()

function, allowing an attacker to craft malicious SMC calls and potentially execute unauthorized actions in the secure world.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected system is the OP-TEE Trusted OS, with versions prior to 3.19.0 being vulnerable to this issue.

Exploitation Mechanism

By exploiting the lack of validation in specific SMC calls, an attacker in the normal world can trigger out-of-bounds reading and potentially achieve local privilege escalation.

Mitigation and Prevention

To secure systems from CVE-2022-46152, immediate action, long-term security practices, and patching guidelines are crucial.

Immediate Steps to Take

It is recommended to update affected systems to version 3.19.0 or later to mitigate the vulnerability. Additionally, monitoring SMC calls and restricting privileges can help prevent exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing secure code practices, regular security assessments, and threat modeling can enhance the overall security posture of OP-TEE Trusted OS.

Patching and Updates

Version 3.19.0 contains a fix for CVE-2022-46152. OP-TEE users are advised to apply this patch promptly to eliminate the vulnerability and enhance the security of their systems.