CVE-2022-20566 is a high-severity elevation of privilege vulnerability found in the Android kernel, specifically within the Bluetooth L2CAP (Logical Link Control and Adaptation Protocol) subsystem. The flaw arises in the function l2cap_chan_put of the l2cap_core module, where improper locking leads to a use-after-free condition. This means that memory that has already been freed can be accessed again, potentially allowing an attacker to manipulate kernel memory in unintended ways. Exploiting this vulnerability does not require additional execution privileges or user interaction, making it a local privilege escalation vector. An attacker with limited privileges on an affected Android device could leverage this flaw to gain higher privileges, potentially full kernel-level control. The vulnerability is rooted in concurrency issues (improper locking) and memory management errors, corresponding to CWE-416 (Use After Free) and CWE-667 (Improper Locking). The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.8, reflecting high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with an attack vector limited to local access and requiring low complexity and privileges. No known exploits in the wild have been reported as of the publication date. The vulnerability affects the Android kernel broadly, implying that many Android devices running vulnerable kernel versions could be impacted if unpatched. Since the Android kernel is a core component, exploitation could compromise the entire device security model.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-20566 can be significant, especially for those relying heavily on Android devices for business operations, including mobile workforce, BYOD policies, and IoT devices running Android-based kernels. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to escalate privileges locally on devices, bypassing security controls and potentially gaining access to sensitive corporate data, internal networks, or administrative controls. This could lead to data breaches, intellectual property theft, or disruption of business processes. Given the vulnerability affects the kernel, it could also be leveraged as a stepping stone for further attacks, such as implanting persistent malware or bypassing mobile device management (MDM) protections. The lack of requirement for user interaction increases the risk of silent exploitation on compromised or maliciously accessed devices. Organizations in sectors with high regulatory requirements (finance, healthcare, critical infrastructure) may face compliance and reputational risks if devices are compromised. Additionally, Android devices used in industrial control systems or embedded applications could be targeted, potentially impacting operational technology environments.

1. Immediate deployment of security patches: Organizations should prioritize updating Android devices to the latest kernel versions where this vulnerability is patched. Coordination with device manufacturers and carriers may be necessary to ensure timely updates. 2. Restrict local access: Limit physical and local access to Android devices, enforcing strong authentication and device lockdown policies to reduce the risk of local exploitation. 3. Harden device configurations: Disable unnecessary Bluetooth functionality or restrict Bluetooth usage to trusted devices only, reducing the attack surface related to the vulnerable L2CAP component. 4. Monitor for anomalous behavior: Implement endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring kernel-level anomalies or privilege escalation attempts on Android devices. 5. Enforce strict application controls: Use mobile application management (MAM) and mobile device management (MDM) solutions to restrict installation of untrusted applications that could attempt to exploit local vulnerabilities. 6. Educate users: While user interaction is not required, awareness about device security and reporting suspicious behavior can aid in early detection. 7. For organizations deploying custom Android builds or embedded Android kernels, conduct thorough code reviews and integrate kernel security hardening techniques to prevent similar concurrency and memory management issues.