CVE-2022-42766 is an information disclosure vulnerability identified in the WLAN driver of several Unisoc (Shanghai) Technologies Co., Ltd. chipsets, including SC9863A, SC9832E, SC7731E, T610, T310, T606, T760, T618, T612, T616, T770, T820, and S8011. These chipsets are commonly integrated into Android devices running Android 10, 11, and 12. The vulnerability arises due to a missing permission check within the WLAN driver, which could allow a local attacker with limited privileges (low-level privileges) to access sensitive information without requiring user interaction. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.6, indicating a medium severity level. The vector string (AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:L) reveals that the attack requires local access, low attack complexity, and low privileges but no user interaction. The impact on confidentiality is high, as sensitive information could be disclosed, while integrity and availability impacts are low. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, and no official patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-200, which relates to unintended information disclosure. Given the affected chipsets are embedded in Android devices, the flaw could potentially expose sensitive WLAN-related data or other system information to unauthorized local applications or users, which could facilitate further attacks or privacy violations.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-42766 primarily concerns the confidentiality of data on devices using affected Unisoc chipsets. Many consumer and enterprise mobile devices in Europe incorporate these chipsets, especially in budget and mid-range Android smartphones. Unauthorized local access to sensitive WLAN driver information could lead to leakage of network configuration details, credentials, or other sensitive metadata, potentially enabling lateral movement or targeted attacks within corporate networks. This is particularly critical for organizations with Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies or those relying on mobile endpoints for secure communications. Although the vulnerability does not directly compromise device integrity or availability, the high confidentiality impact could undermine trust in device security and expose organizations to espionage or data leakage risks. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but the presence of a low-complexity local attack vector means that insider threats or malware with limited privileges could exploit this vulnerability. In sectors such as finance, government, and critical infrastructure within Europe, where data confidentiality is paramount, this vulnerability could be leveraged to gain unauthorized insights into network configurations or user activities.

To mitigate CVE-2022-42766, European organizations should implement a multi-layered approach: 1) Inventory and identify all mobile devices using Unisoc chipsets listed as affected, focusing on Android 10, 11, and 12 versions. 2) Enforce strict application sandboxing and privilege restrictions to limit local access to WLAN driver interfaces, minimizing the risk of unauthorized local privilege exploitation. 3) Deploy Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to monitor and control application permissions, preventing installation or execution of untrusted or potentially malicious local applications. 4) Encourage users to update devices promptly once official patches become available from device manufacturers or Unisoc. 5) For high-security environments, consider restricting or isolating devices with affected chipsets from sensitive networks until patches are applied. 6) Conduct regular security awareness training emphasizing the risks of installing untrusted applications and the importance of device hygiene. 7) Monitor device logs and network activity for unusual patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. Since no patches are currently linked, organizations should maintain close communication with vendors for updates and consider applying vendor-specific firmware or driver updates as soon as they are released.