CVE-2022-20446 Missing authorization in Android

What is CVE-2022-20446?

CVE-2022-20446 is a low-severity missing authorization vulnerability in Google Android, published on 8 Nov 2022. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.

Official description

In AlwaysOnHotwordDetector of AlwaysOnHotwordDetector.java, there is a possible way to access the microphone from the background due to a missing permission check. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-10 Android-11Android ID: A-229793943

Weakness: CWE-862

Which versions are affected by CVE-2022-20446?

It affects 1 product.

Products include Google Android.

How do I fix CVE-2022-20446?

Apply the vendor's patch.

Upgrade, and check permissions on every request on the server, not only in the interface. More about Missing authorization.

Is CVE-2022-20446 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2022-20446 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Other vulnerabilities in Google Android

• CVE-2026-58704 Google Pixel Improper Authorization Exploited High 8.8
• CVE-2025-48543 Android Runtime Use-After-Free Exploited High 8.8
• CVE-2023-35674 Android Framework Privilege Escalation Exploited High 8.8
• CVE-2025-48595 Android Framework Integer Overflow Exploited High 8.4
• CVE-2024-32896 Android Pixel Privilege Escalation Exploited High 8.1

All Google Android vulnerabilities

Sources

• CVE record
• NVD
• OSV
• GitHub advisory
• How this page is made

Also known as A-229793943, ASB-A-229793943, GHSA-8pqr-x5vx-fgpj, UBUNTU-CVE-2022-20446.