CVE-2022-20483 is a high-severity information disclosure vulnerability affecting multiple versions of the Android operating system, specifically Android 10 through Android 13, including Android 12L. The vulnerability arises from integer overflow issues in functions responsible for parsing AVRCP (Audio/Video Remote Control Profile) responses, located in avrc_pars_ct.cc and related source files. These integer overflows can cause out-of-bounds reads when processing malformed AVRCP responses, potentially allowing a remote attacker to read sensitive memory contents without requiring any privileges or user interaction. The vulnerability is exploitable remotely over Bluetooth, as AVRCP is a Bluetooth profile used for controlling media playback on connected devices. The CVSS v3.1 score of 7.5 reflects the vulnerability's ease of exploitation (network vector, no privileges or user interaction needed) and its impact on confidentiality (high), while integrity and availability remain unaffected. No known exploits have been reported in the wild to date. The underlying weakness is classified under CWE-191 (Integer Overflow or Wraparound), which can lead to memory safety issues such as out-of-bounds reads. Since the vulnerability does not require authentication or user interaction, any device with a vulnerable Android version and Bluetooth enabled is potentially at risk. The lack of a patch link in the provided data suggests that remediation may rely on vendor updates or Android security patches distributed via OEMs or Google Play services. Given the nature of the flaw, attackers could leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information from device memory remotely, which could include user data or cryptographic material, depending on what resides in the affected memory regions during parsing. This could facilitate further attacks or privacy breaches.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-20483 is significant due to the widespread use of Android devices in both consumer and enterprise environments. Information disclosure vulnerabilities can lead to leakage of sensitive corporate data, credentials, or cryptographic keys stored or processed on mobile devices. Since the vulnerability can be exploited remotely over Bluetooth without user interaction, attackers in proximity to targeted devices could silently extract information, potentially compromising confidentiality. This is particularly concerning for sectors with high data sensitivity such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure operators. The vulnerability could also undermine trust in mobile device security, affecting Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies and mobile workforce security. Additionally, the flaw could be leveraged as a foothold for more complex multi-stage attacks if combined with other vulnerabilities. The absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as threat actors may develop exploits over time. Organizations relying heavily on Android devices for secure communications or data handling should consider this vulnerability a serious risk to confidentiality and data privacy compliance under regulations like GDPR.

1. Ensure all Android devices are updated to the latest security patches provided by device manufacturers or Google, as these patches typically address such vulnerabilities. 2. Disable Bluetooth on devices when not in use, especially in high-risk environments or sensitive locations, to reduce the attack surface. 3. Implement network segmentation and device management policies that restrict Bluetooth connectivity to trusted devices only. 4. Use Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to enforce security policies, monitor device compliance, and push timely updates. 5. Educate users about the risks of leaving Bluetooth enabled unnecessarily and encourage best practices for device security. 6. For enterprise environments, consider deploying endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools capable of monitoring unusual Bluetooth activity or anomalous memory access patterns. 7. Collaborate with device vendors to verify patch deployment status and request timely updates if missing. 8. Monitor threat intelligence feeds for any emerging exploits targeting this vulnerability to enable rapid incident response. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on Bluetooth-specific controls, device management, and user behavior tailored to the nature of this vulnerability.