CVE-2022-20040 : What You Need to Know

This article provides an overview of CVE-2022-20040, a vulnerability affecting MediaTek devices running Android 11.0 and 12.0. The vulnerability allows a possible permission bypass through a stack-based buffer overflow in power_hal_manager_service, leading to local privilege escalation without user interaction.

Understanding CVE-2022-20040

CVE-2022-20040 impacts a wide range of MediaTek chipsets and versions, potentially exposing devices to privilege escalation attacks.

What is CVE-2022-20040?

The vulnerability in power_hal_manager_service could be exploited by threat actors to gain elevated privileges without the need for additional execution rights, posing a significant security risk to affected devices.

The Impact of CVE-2022-20040

The exploitation of this vulnerability could allow malicious actors to escalate their privileges locally on vulnerable devices, enabling them to perform unauthorized actions and potentially compromise user data.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-20040

The technical details of CVE-2022-20040 include:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability involves a stack-based buffer overflow in power_hal_manager_service, enabling threat actors to bypass permissions and escalate privileges.

Affected Systems and Versions

MediaTek chipsets including MT6735, MT6755, MT6771, and more running Android 11.0 and 12.0 are affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Threat actors can exploit the stack-based buffer overflow in power_hal_manager_service to achieve local privilege escalation without requiring user interaction.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2022-20040, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the provided Patch ID: ALPS06219150 to address the vulnerability in affected devices.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update devices and apply security patches provided by the device manufacturer to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from MediaTek and promptly apply recommended patches to protect devices from potential threats and vulnerabilities.