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CVE-2022-20466: Information disclosure in Android

Medium
Published: Tue Dec 13 2022 (12/13/2022, 00:00:00 UTC)
Source: CVE
Vendor/Project: n/a
Product: Android

Description

In applyKeyguardFlags of NotificationShadeWindowControllerImpl.java, there is a possible way to observe the user's password on a secondary display due to an insecure default value. This could lead to local information disclosure with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-10 Android-11 Android-12 Android-12L Android-13Android ID: A-179725730

AI-Powered Analysis

AILast updated: 06/21/2025, 18:09:28 UTC

Technical Analysis

CVE-2022-20466 is an information disclosure vulnerability affecting multiple versions of the Android operating system, specifically Android 10 through Android 13 (including Android 12L). The flaw exists in the applyKeyguardFlags method within the NotificationShadeWindowControllerImpl.java component. Due to an insecure default value in this method, it is possible for an attacker to observe the user's password on a secondary display. This vulnerability arises from improper handling of keyguard flags that control what content is shown on secondary displays when the device is locked. Exploitation requires local access to the device and user interaction, such as unlocking or interacting with notifications, but does not require any additional execution privileges or elevated permissions. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality by potentially exposing sensitive authentication credentials (passwords) to unauthorized viewers on secondary displays, but it does not affect system integrity or availability. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.5 (medium severity), reflecting the local attack vector, low complexity, no privileges required, but requiring user interaction. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, and no official patches or mitigation links were provided in the source information. The underlying weakness is classified under CWE-1188, which relates to improper default permissions or settings leading to information disclosure.

Potential Impact

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a moderate risk primarily to devices running affected Android versions that are used in environments where secondary displays are employed, such as presentations, kiosks, or multi-screen setups. The exposure of user passwords could lead to unauthorized access to corporate accounts or sensitive applications, potentially resulting in data breaches or lateral movement within networks. Although exploitation requires local access and user interaction, the risk is elevated in scenarios where devices are shared, publicly accessible, or used in high-security contexts. The confidentiality breach could undermine trust in mobile device security and complicate compliance with data protection regulations such as GDPR, especially if personal or corporate credentials are compromised. However, the lack of impact on integrity and availability limits the scope of damage to information disclosure only. Since no known exploits are in the wild, the immediate threat level is controlled but should not be ignored given the widespread use of Android devices across European enterprises and public sectors.

Mitigation Recommendations

1. Ensure all Android devices are updated to the latest available security patches from device manufacturers or Google, as vendors typically address such vulnerabilities in monthly security updates. 2. Disable or restrict the use of secondary displays for sensitive operations or lock screens, especially in environments where physical device access cannot be tightly controlled. 3. Implement strict device usage policies that limit local access to authorized personnel only, reducing the risk of exploitation requiring user interaction. 4. Educate users about the risks of interacting with notifications or secondary displays when devices are locked, emphasizing cautious behavior. 5. For organizations deploying Android devices in kiosk or multi-display modes, review and harden configuration settings related to keyguard and notification display flags to prevent inadvertent exposure of sensitive information. 6. Monitor device logs and user reports for any unusual activity that might indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability. 7. Consider deploying Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions that can enforce security policies and restrict secondary display usage or lock screen behaviors.

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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

Threat ID: 682d984ac4522896dcbf742b

Added to database: 5/21/2025, 9:09:30 AM

Last enriched: 6/21/2025, 6:09:28 PM

Last updated: 8/2/2025, 1:04:47 PM

Views: 12

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