CVE-2022-20240 is a security vulnerability identified in the Android operating system, specifically affecting Android 12 and Android 12L versions. The flaw exists in the AppOpsManager component, within the sOpAllowSystemRestrictionBypass method. This vulnerability arises due to a missing permission check, which can lead to an unintended leak of location information. Exploiting this vulnerability requires the attacker to have local system execution privileges, meaning the attacker must already have a high level of access on the device. No user interaction is necessary to exploit this flaw, which could allow an attacker with system-level privileges to bypass certain system restrictions related to location data access. The vulnerability is categorized as an elevation of privilege issue (CWE-862), where an attacker with some level of access can escalate their privileges further by exploiting the missing permission check. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 2.3, indicating a low severity level, primarily because exploitation requires prior system-level privileges and does not impact integrity or availability, only confidentiality to a limited extent (location information leakage). There are no known exploits in the wild, and no official patches have been linked in the provided data. The vulnerability was reserved in October 2021 and published in December 2022, with enrichment from CISA, indicating recognition by US cybersecurity authorities. Overall, this vulnerability is a local privilege escalation vector that could be leveraged in complex attack chains but is unlikely to be a standalone critical threat due to the high prerequisite access level and limited impact scope.

For European organizations, the direct impact of CVE-2022-20240 is relatively limited due to the low severity and the requirement for system-level privileges to exploit it. However, in environments where Android devices running versions 12 or 12L are used extensively—such as in corporate mobile device fleets, field service devices, or IoT devices based on Android—this vulnerability could be leveraged as part of a multi-stage attack to gain unauthorized access to sensitive location data. Leakage of location information could have privacy implications, especially under the GDPR framework, potentially leading to regulatory scrutiny if personal data is exposed. Additionally, attackers who have already compromised a device at a system level could use this vulnerability to bypass restrictions and gather location data stealthily, which might aid in further lateral movement or espionage activities. The vulnerability does not affect device integrity or availability, so operational disruption is unlikely. The absence of user interaction for exploitation increases the risk in scenarios where devices are physically accessible or already compromised. Overall, the impact is moderate in sensitive environments but low for the general user base.

Ensure all Android devices in use are updated to the latest security patches provided by device manufacturers or Google, as patches for this vulnerability may be included in subsequent security updates beyond the provided data. Implement strict device management policies using Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to limit the installation of untrusted applications and restrict system-level access to trusted personnel only. Monitor Android devices for signs of privilege escalation or unauthorized access attempts, focusing on system logs and AppOpsManager-related activities. Restrict physical access to devices to prevent attackers from gaining local system execution privileges necessary for exploitation. Where possible, disable or limit location services on devices that do not require them, reducing the potential data exposure surface. Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing on Android devices within the organization to identify potential privilege escalation vectors. Educate users and administrators about the risks of rooting devices or installing unauthorized software that could grant system-level access.