CVE-2022-32602 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting multiple MediaTek SoCs (System on Chips), specifically models MT6833, MT6883, MT6983, MT8183, MT8185, MT8321, MT8385, MT8675, MT8765, MT8766, MT8768, MT8786, MT8789, MT8791, MT8791T, and MT8797. These chips are widely used in various Android devices running versions 11.0 and 12.0. The vulnerability arises from an out-of-bounds read in the 'keyinstall' component due to a missing bounds check, classified under CWE-125 (Out-of-bounds Read). This flaw allows a local attacker with limited privileges (low privileges) to read sensitive information from memory without requiring user interaction or elevated execution privileges. The vulnerability does not allow modification of data or denial of service but can lead to local information disclosure, potentially exposing sensitive cryptographic keys or other confidential data stored in memory. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.5, reflecting a medium severity with the vector AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N, indicating local attack vector, low attack complexity, low privileges required, no user interaction, unchanged scope, high confidentiality impact, and no integrity or availability impact. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, and MediaTek has assigned a patch ID (ALPS07388790) to address the issue. The vulnerability is relevant primarily to devices using the affected MediaTek chipsets running Android 11 or 12, which are common in mid-range smartphones and IoT devices. The flaw's exploitation requires local access to the device, which limits remote exploitation but remains a concern for attackers with physical or local access aiming to extract sensitive information.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2022-32602 lies in the potential exposure of sensitive information on devices using the affected MediaTek chipsets. This could include corporate mobile devices, IoT endpoints, or embedded systems that rely on these chipsets and run Android 11 or 12. Information disclosure could lead to leakage of cryptographic keys or other confidential data, which may facilitate further attacks such as unauthorized access or lateral movement within corporate networks. While the vulnerability does not allow privilege escalation or denial of service directly, the confidentiality breach could undermine trust in device security and compromise data protection compliance under regulations like GDPR. The local attack vector means that attackers need physical or local access, so the risk is higher in environments where devices are shared, lost, or stolen. Additionally, organizations with Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies or those deploying MediaTek-based devices in critical roles should be particularly cautious. The absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as proof-of-concept exploits could emerge. Overall, the vulnerability represents a moderate risk to confidentiality, with potential cascading effects if sensitive data is exposed.

To mitigate CVE-2022-32602, European organizations should implement the following practical measures: 1) Ensure all affected devices are updated promptly with the official patches from device manufacturers or MediaTek (patch ID ALPS07388790). Coordination with vendors and mobile device management (MDM) platforms is critical to enforce timely patch deployment. 2) Enforce strict physical security controls to prevent unauthorized local access to devices, including secure storage, device lock policies, and endpoint detection to monitor for suspicious local activity. 3) Employ encryption and secure key storage mechanisms at the application and OS level to minimize the impact of potential information disclosure. 4) Limit the use of affected MediaTek-based devices in high-security environments or for handling sensitive data until patched. 5) Implement device inventory and asset management to identify and track devices with vulnerable chipsets and Android versions. 6) Educate users about the risks of local device compromise and encourage reporting of lost or stolen devices immediately. 7) Monitor security advisories from MediaTek and Android OEMs for updates or emerging exploit information. These targeted actions go beyond generic advice by focusing on patch management, physical security, and operational controls specific to the vulnerability's local attack vector and information disclosure nature.