CVE-2022-33696 in Smart Phone
Summary
by MITRE • 07/12/2022
Exposure of Sensitive Information in Telephony service prior to SMR Jul-2022 Release 1 allows local attacker to access imsi and iccid via log.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/23/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-33696 represents a critical exposure of sensitive information within telephony services that affected systems prior to the July 2022 Security Maintenance Release. This flaw specifically impacts the handling of sensitive subscriber data including International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) and Integrated Circuit Card Identifier (ICCID) values that are typically protected under telecommunications security protocols. The vulnerability arises from improper logging practices where sensitive information flows through system logs without adequate sanitization or protection mechanisms, creating an information disclosure risk that directly violates fundamental security principles of data protection and privacy.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the telephony service logging subsystem. When the telephony service processes calls or manages subscriber information, it generates log entries that inadvertently capture sensitive data elements including IMSI and ICCID values. These identifiers are critical components of mobile network security architecture as they uniquely identify subscribers and their SIM cards respectively. The flaw manifests when these sensitive values appear in plaintext within log files, making them accessible to any local attacker who can read the system logs. This represents a classic case of insufficient data protection during logging operations and violates security controls outlined in cwe-200 which addresses exposure of sensitive information to unauthorized actors.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for telecommunications providers and their subscribers. Local attackers with access to system logs can extract subscriber identity information that enables them to perform location tracking, conduct targeted attacks, or facilitate subscriber impersonation. The exposure of IMSI values particularly undermines the fundamental security model of mobile networks where subscriber identity should remain confidential and protected from unauthorized access. The impact extends beyond simple privacy concerns to potential service disruption and regulatory compliance violations, as telecommunications operators must maintain strict controls over subscriber data according to industry standards and regulatory frameworks such as those defined in the telecom security guidelines and compliance requirements. This vulnerability directly maps to attack patterns described in the attack technique of credential access and information gathering within the ATT&CK framework, specifically targeting the collection of sensitive information from system artifacts.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2022-33696 requires immediate implementation of log sanitization procedures and data protection controls. System administrators must ensure that sensitive information including IMSI and ICCID values are either redacted from log entries or properly encrypted before storage. The recommended approach involves implementing comprehensive logging policies that exclude sensitive data from standard logging operations while maintaining audit trails for legitimate operational purposes. Organizations should also deploy log access controls to limit who can read system logs and implement monitoring systems to detect unauthorized access attempts to sensitive information. The fix typically involves updating the telephony service software to the July 2022 Security Maintenance Release which includes proper data sanitization and access control mechanisms. Additionally, security teams should conduct thorough log reviews to identify any previously exposed sensitive information and implement continuous monitoring to prevent similar issues in the future, aligning with the principle of least privilege and defense in depth security models that are essential for protecting telecommunications infrastructure.