CVE-2020-24722 json
An issue was discovered in the GAEN (aka Google/Apple Exposure Notifications) protocol through 2020-10-05, as used in COVID-19 applications…
published 2020-10-07 6 y ago modified 2026-06-17 4 mo ago also EUVD-2020-17433
- cvss
- 5.9
- version 3.1, NVD
- cisa kev
- Not listed
- not in CISA's catalog
- epss
- 2.5%
- EPSS 2.5% chance of exploitation in 30 days, percentile 84%
- public exploits
- 0
- none known
Summary
An issue was discovered in the GAEN (aka Google/Apple Exposure Notifications) protocol through 2020-10-05, as used in COVID-19 applications on Android and iOS. The encrypted metadata block with a TX value lacks a checksum, allowing bitflipping to amplify a contamination attack. This can cause metadata deanonymization and risk-score inflation. NOTE: the vendor's position is "We do not believe that TX power authentication would be a useful defense against relay attacks.
Exploit prediction
2.46% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 84% of all scored CVEs (FIRST EPSS, 2026-11-08).
Exploits and checks
- seclists.org http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/Oct/12 referenced PoC, tagged "exploit" by a source, unverified
- packetstormsecurity.com http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/159496/GAEN-Protocol-Metadata-Deanonymization-Risk-Score-Inflation.html referenced PoC, tagged "exploit" by a source, unverified
CVSS scores
| assigned by | version | score | vector |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVD | 3.1 | 5.9 | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N |
| NVD | 2.0 | 2.6 | AV:N/AC:H/Au:N/C:N/I:P/A:N |
Classification
- Weakness
-
- CWE-294 Authentication Bypass by Capture-replay
References
-
seclists.org
/fulldisclosure/2020/Oct/12
exploit, mailing-list, third-party-advisory
-
packetstormsecurity.com
/files/159496/GAEN-Protocol-Metadata-Deanonymization-Risk-Score-Inflation.html
exploit, third-party-advisory, vdb-entry
-
blog.google
/inside-google/company-announcements/update-exposure-notifications
third-party-advisory
-
github.com
/google/exposure-notifications-internals/blob/main/en-risks-and-mitigations-faq.md#additional-considerations
third-party-advisory
Sources
- CVE List CVE-2020-24722
- NVD CVE-2020-24722
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