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CVE-2022-20447: Information disclosure in Android

Medium
VulnerabilityCVE-2022-20447cvecve-2022-20447
Published: Tue Nov 08 2022 (11/08/2022, 00:00:00 UTC)
Source: CVE
Vendor/Project: n/a
Product: Android

Description

In PAN_WriteBuf of pan_api.cc, there is a possible out of bounds read due to a use after free. This could lead to remote information disclosure over Bluetooth with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-13Android ID: A-233604485

AI-Powered Analysis

AILast updated: 06/25/2025, 20:43:15 UTC

Technical Analysis

CVE-2022-20447 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting Android 13, specifically within the Bluetooth stack implementation. The flaw exists in the function PAN_WriteBuf in the pan_api.cc source file, where a use-after-free condition can lead to an out-of-bounds read. This vulnerability allows an attacker to remotely disclose information over Bluetooth without requiring any additional execution privileges or user interaction. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-416 (Use After Free), indicating that the program accesses memory after it has been freed, potentially exposing sensitive data. Exploitation does not require authentication or user interaction, and the attacker only needs to be within Bluetooth range of the target device. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.5, reflecting a medium severity with a high impact on confidentiality but no impact on integrity or availability. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, and no patches are explicitly linked in the provided data, though it is likely that Google has addressed this in subsequent security updates. The vulnerability's remote nature and lack of required privileges make it a notable risk for devices running Android 13, especially given the widespread use of Bluetooth for connectivity in mobile and IoT devices.

Potential Impact

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to mobile devices and IoT equipment running Android 13 that utilize Bluetooth connectivity. The potential impact includes unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information residing in device memory, which could lead to privacy breaches or leakage of confidential organizational data. Since the vulnerability does not affect integrity or availability, it is less likely to cause direct operational disruption but could facilitate further targeted attacks if attackers gain intelligence from disclosed information. Organizations with employees using Android 13 devices in environments where Bluetooth is enabled are at risk, especially in sectors handling sensitive data such as finance, healthcare, and government. The risk is exacerbated in scenarios where devices are used in close proximity to potential adversaries, such as public spaces or corporate campuses. Additionally, the vulnerability could be leveraged in espionage or surveillance campaigns targeting European entities. However, the lack of known exploits and the medium severity rating suggest that immediate widespread impact is limited but should not be ignored.

Mitigation Recommendations

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations should prioritize the following actions: 1) Ensure all Android 13 devices are updated with the latest security patches from device manufacturers or Google, as patches for this vulnerability are likely included in recent updates. 2) Implement strict Bluetooth usage policies, including disabling Bluetooth when not in use, especially in sensitive environments. 3) Employ mobile device management (MDM) solutions to enforce security configurations and monitor Bluetooth activity on corporate devices. 4) Educate users about the risks of leaving Bluetooth enabled in public or untrusted areas. 5) For critical environments, consider network segmentation and physical security controls to limit attacker proximity. 6) Monitor security advisories from Google and Android OEMs for any updates or exploit reports related to this vulnerability. 7) Conduct regular security assessments and penetration tests focusing on Bluetooth attack vectors to identify potential exposure. These measures go beyond generic advice by emphasizing policy enforcement, user education, and proactive monitoring tailored to the Bluetooth attack surface.

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Technical Details

Data Version
5.1
Assigner Short Name
google_android
Date Reserved
2021-10-14T00:00:00.000Z
Cisa Enriched
true
Cvss Version
3.1
State
PUBLISHED

Threat ID: 682d9839c4522896dcbeca16

Added to database: 5/21/2025, 9:09:13 AM

Last enriched: 6/25/2025, 8:43:15 PM

Last updated: 8/8/2025, 6:41:53 PM

Views: 10

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