CVE-2022-20118
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a use-after-free vulnerability in Android's ION memory management subsystem due to a race condition in ion_ioctl and related functions. It allows local attackers to escalate privileges without requiring user interaction or additional execution privileges. Affected systems include Android devices running vulnerable kernel versions.
💻 Affected Systems
- Android
📦 What is this software?
Android by Google
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full system compromise with root privileges, allowing complete control over the device, data theft, and persistence mechanisms.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation from a limited user or app context to kernel-level privileges, enabling further system exploitation.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper kernel hardening, SELinux policies, and least privilege principles are enforced.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local access and knowledge of race condition timing. No public exploit code is documented, but the vulnerability is well-understood.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Android security patch level May 2022 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/pixel/2022-05-01
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Apply the May 2022 Android security patch. 2. Update Android kernel to version containing fix for A-205707793. 3. Reboot device to load patched kernel.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vulnerable ION functionality
linuxDisable or restrict ION memory management subsystem if not required
echo 0 > /sys/kernel/debug/ion/enable
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict SELinux policies to limit privilege escalation paths
- Restrict physical and network access to vulnerable devices
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Android security patch level: Settings > About phone > Android security patch level. If before May 2022, likely vulnerable.Check Version:
adb shell getprop ro.build.version.security_patchVerify Fix Applied:
Verify Android security patch level is May 2022 or later and kernel version includes fix for A-205707793.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic logs
- ION subsystem error messages
- Unexpected privilege escalation attempts
Network Indicators:
- None - local exploitation only
SIEM Query:
source="android_kernel" AND ("ion_ioctl" OR "use-after-free" OR "A-205707793")