CVE-2020-0103 – This vulnerability allows remote code execution... (How to Fix)

📋 TL;DR

This vulnerability allows remote code execution via memory corruption in Android's Bluetooth AAC audio decoder. An attacker could execute arbitrary code without user interaction or additional privileges. Affects Android 9 and 10 devices with Bluetooth enabled.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Android

Versions: Android 9.0 through 10.0

Operating Systems: Android

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Requires Bluetooth to be enabled and AAC codec support

📦 What is this software?

Android by Google

View all CVEs affecting Android →

Android by Google

View all CVEs affecting Android →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Full device compromise leading to data theft, surveillance, or persistent backdoor installation

🟠

Likely Case

Device crash or instability, potential for limited code execution in Bluetooth context

🟢

If Mitigated

No impact if patched or Bluetooth disabled

🌐 Internet-Facing: MEDIUM - Requires proximity for Bluetooth exploitation but no internet connectivity needed

🏢 Internal Only: HIGH - Can be exploited within Bluetooth range without authentication

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ⚠️ Yes

Complexity: MEDIUM

Exploitation requires Bluetooth proximity and knowledge of memory corruption techniques

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Android Security Patch Level 2020-05-01 or later

Vendor Advisory: https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2020-05-01

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings > System > System update
2. Check for and install available updates
3. Ensure security patch level is 2020-05-01 or newer
4. Restart device after update

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable Bluetooth

android

Turn off Bluetooth to prevent exploitation

adb shell settings put global bluetooth_on 0
Settings > Connected devices > Connection preferences > Bluetooth > Turn off

Disable AAC codec

android

Prevent use of vulnerable AAC decoder in Bluetooth settings

Developer options > Bluetooth AVRCP Version > Set to 1.4 or lower

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Disable Bluetooth when not in use
Restrict Bluetooth pairing to trusted devices only

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check Android version and security patch level in Settings > About phone > Android version

Check Version:

adb shell getprop ro.build.version.security_patch

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify security patch level is 2020-05-01 or newer in Settings > About phone > Android security update

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Bluetooth service crashes
A2DP decoder errors in logcat
Unexpected memory access violations

Network Indicators:

Unusual Bluetooth pairing attempts
Malformed AAC audio streams over Bluetooth

SIEM Query:

source="android_logs" AND ("a2dp_aac_decoder" OR "BluetoothA2dp" OR "invalid free")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2020-0103

CVSS v3 Score: 9.8 (CRITICAL)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CWE: CWE-763

Published: May 14, 2020

Last Updated: November 21, 2024

🔗 References

https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2020-05-01 Patch,Vendor Advisory
https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2020-05-01 Patch,Vendor Advisory

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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