CVE-2022-39099 is a high-severity vulnerability identified in multiple Unisoc (Shanghai) Technologies Co., Ltd. chipsets, including SC9863A, SC9832E, SC7731E, and a range of T-series models such as T610, T310, T606, T760, T618, T612, T616, T770, T820, and S8000. These chipsets are integrated into devices running Android versions 10, 11, and 12. The vulnerability stems from a missing authorization check within the power management service of the affected devices. Specifically, the service lacks proper permission validation, allowing an attacker with limited privileges (low-level privileges) to configure or manipulate the power management service without requiring additional execution privileges or user interaction. This missing permission check (CWE-862) can be exploited locally, as indicated by the CVSS vector (AV:L), meaning the attacker needs local access to the device but does not require elevated privileges beyond low-level access. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability, as it allows unauthorized modification of power management settings, potentially leading to privilege escalation, denial of service, or unauthorized control over device power states. Although no known exploits have been reported in the wild, the vulnerability's nature and CVSS score of 7.8 (high) highlight a significant risk, especially in environments where these chipsets are prevalent. The absence of patches at the time of reporting further emphasizes the need for mitigation and monitoring. The vulnerability affects a broad range of Android devices using Unisoc chipsets, which are commonly found in budget and mid-range smartphones, particularly in emerging markets and some European countries where these devices have market penetration. The technical root cause is the failure to enforce authorization checks before allowing configuration changes in the power management service, which is a critical system component responsible for managing device power states and performance. Exploiting this flaw could allow attackers to disrupt device operation, cause battery drain, or escalate privileges to compromise the device further.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-39099 can be significant, especially for those relying on mobile devices powered by Unisoc chipsets running Android 10 to 12. The vulnerability can lead to unauthorized control over power management functions, potentially causing device instability, denial of service through forced shutdowns or battery exhaustion, and privilege escalation that could facilitate further attacks such as data exfiltration or malware persistence. Organizations with mobile workforces using affected devices may face increased risk of data breaches or operational disruptions. The confidentiality of sensitive corporate data stored or accessed on these devices could be compromised if attackers leverage this vulnerability to gain higher privileges. Integrity and availability of mobile services could also be impacted, affecting business continuity. Given the local access requirement, the threat is more pronounced in scenarios where devices are physically accessible to attackers or where malware can gain low-level access through other means. The lack of user interaction requirement increases the risk of automated exploitation once local access is obtained. The vulnerability is particularly concerning for sectors with high security demands such as finance, government, and critical infrastructure within Europe, where mobile device security is paramount. Additionally, the broad range of affected chipset models means a wide variety of devices could be vulnerable, increasing the attack surface for European enterprises and consumers alike.

1. Device Inventory and Assessment: European organizations should identify and inventory all mobile devices using Unisoc chipsets listed in the vulnerability to assess exposure. 2. Firmware and OS Updates: Although no patches were available at the time of reporting, organizations should monitor Unisoc and device manufacturers for firmware or OS updates addressing this vulnerability and apply them promptly. 3. Restrict Local Access: Implement strict physical security controls to prevent unauthorized physical access to devices, as exploitation requires local access. 4. Mobile Device Management (MDM): Use MDM solutions to enforce security policies, restrict installation of untrusted applications, and monitor device behavior for anomalies indicative of exploitation attempts. 5. Application Whitelisting and Privilege Controls: Limit the ability of applications to gain low-level privileges that could be leveraged to exploit this vulnerability. 6. User Awareness and Training: Educate users on risks of unauthorized device access and encourage reporting of lost or stolen devices immediately. 7. Network Segmentation: Isolate mobile devices from critical internal networks to limit potential lateral movement if a device is compromised. 8. Incident Response Preparedness: Develop and test incident response plans specific to mobile device compromise scenarios involving power management or privilege escalation. 9. Monitor Security Advisories: Continuously monitor advisories from Unisoc, Android, and security communities for updates or exploit disclosures related to CVE-2022-39099. 10. Consider Device Replacement: For high-risk environments where patching is delayed or unavailable, consider replacing affected devices with models using chipsets from vendors with timely security support.