CVE-2022-20523 is a medium-severity information disclosure vulnerability identified in the Android 13 operating system. The flaw exists in the function IncFs_GetFilledRangesStartingFrom within the incfs.cpp source file. Specifically, the vulnerability arises from a missing bounds check that leads to an out-of-bounds read condition (classified under CWE-125). This means that when the function attempts to read data ranges, it may access memory beyond the intended buffer limits, potentially exposing sensitive information stored in adjacent memory areas. Exploitation of this vulnerability does not require user interaction and can be performed locally with limited privileges (PR:L). The attacker does not need elevated execution privileges to trigger the flaw, but must have local access to the device. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality (high impact) by allowing unauthorized disclosure of information, while integrity and availability impacts are low or none. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.1, reflecting a medium severity level, with an attack vector classified as local (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), and no user interaction (UI:N). No known exploits have been reported in the wild to date. The vulnerability was reserved in October 2021 and publicly disclosed in December 2022. The affected product is Android 13, which is the latest major Android release, deployed on a wide range of mobile devices globally. The flaw is rooted in the IncFS (Incremental File System) component, which is used for efficient file storage and retrieval, and improper bounds checking in this subsystem can lead to leakage of sensitive data from memory buffers.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2022-20523 is the potential leakage of sensitive information from Android 13 devices used within corporate environments. Since Android devices are widely used by employees for communication, data access, and mobile work, an attacker with local access (e.g., via physical access, malicious apps with limited privileges, or insider threats) could exploit this vulnerability to obtain confidential information stored in memory. This could include credentials, personal data, or proprietary corporate information. The lack of requirement for user interaction increases the risk of stealthy exploitation. Although the vulnerability does not allow code execution or system compromise, information disclosure can facilitate further attacks such as social engineering, credential theft, or lateral movement within networks. The impact is particularly relevant for sectors with high data sensitivity such as finance, healthcare, and government agencies operating in Europe. Additionally, given the widespread use of Android devices in European enterprises and among consumers, the scope of affected systems is significant. However, the local attack vector and requirement for limited privileges somewhat constrain the attack surface compared to remote vulnerabilities.

1. Ensure all Android 13 devices within the organization are updated promptly with security patches once available from device manufacturers or Google, as no patch links are currently provided, monitoring vendor advisories is critical. 2. Limit local access to corporate Android devices by enforcing strict physical security policies and device management controls to prevent unauthorized personnel from gaining physical or local access. 3. Employ Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to restrict installation of untrusted or potentially malicious applications that could exploit local vulnerabilities. 4. Monitor device behavior for anomalous access patterns or attempts to read sensitive memory areas, leveraging endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools where possible. 5. Educate employees on the risks of local device compromise and enforce policies to avoid lending or sharing devices. 6. For high-risk environments, consider additional encryption of sensitive data in memory and storage to reduce the impact of information disclosure. 7. Coordinate with device vendors to obtain timely updates and verify patch deployment status across the device fleet.