CVE-2022-20414 is a vulnerability identified in the AlarmManagerService component of the Android operating system, specifically within the setImpl method of AlarmManagerService.java. This flaw allows an attacker to trigger an uncaught exception that can cause the affected Android device to enter a continuous boot loop, effectively rendering the device unusable without requiring any additional execution privileges or user interaction. The vulnerability affects multiple Android versions, including Android 10, 11, 12, 12L, and 13. The root cause is related to improper exception handling (classified under CWE-755: Improper Handling of Exceptional Conditions), which leads to a denial of service (DoS) condition locally on the device. Exploitation requires local access with limited privileges (PR:L) but no user interaction (UI:N), and the attack vector is local (AV:L), meaning the attacker must have some form of local access to the device, such as through a malicious app or physical access. The vulnerability does not impact confidentiality or integrity but severely impacts availability by causing a persistent boot loop. There are no known exploits in the wild as of the publication date, and no official patches have been linked in the provided information. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.5, categorized as medium severity, reflecting the moderate complexity of exploitation and the significant impact on device availability.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2022-20414 is the potential disruption of mobile device availability. Organizations relying heavily on Android devices for critical business operations, including communication, authentication, and mobile workforce management, could face operational interruptions if devices become unusable due to this boot loop vulnerability. This is particularly relevant for sectors such as finance, healthcare, and public services where mobile device uptime is critical. The denial of service condition could lead to increased support costs, device replacement, or downtime while devices are restored. Although the vulnerability requires local access, the risk remains significant in environments where devices are shared, or where malicious insiders or compromised apps could trigger the fault. The lack of required user interaction lowers the barrier for exploitation once local access is obtained. Additionally, the vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted attacks against high-value individuals or devices within organizations, causing selective disruption without broader network compromise. Since the vulnerability does not affect confidentiality or integrity, data breaches are unlikely, but the operational impact on availability could degrade organizational productivity and service delivery.

To mitigate CVE-2022-20414 effectively, European organizations should: 1) Ensure all Android devices are updated to the latest available security patches from device manufacturers or carriers, as vendors may have released fixes post-publication. 2) Implement strict application vetting and control policies to prevent installation of untrusted or malicious apps that could exploit local vulnerabilities. 3) Enforce device access controls, including strong authentication and physical security, to reduce the risk of unauthorized local access. 4) Utilize Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to monitor device health and automate remediation workflows, including remote wiping or reimaging of devices exhibiting boot loop symptoms. 5) Educate users and administrators about the symptoms of this vulnerability and establish incident response procedures to quickly identify and recover affected devices. 6) For critical deployments, consider deploying Android Enterprise Recommended devices, which typically receive faster security updates and vendor support. 7) Where possible, restrict the use of legacy Android versions (10 and 11) in favor of newer, better-supported versions to reduce exposure. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on operational controls, device lifecycle management, and proactive monitoring tailored to the nature of this local DoS vulnerability.