CVE-2023-20925 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 01/26/2023
In setUclampMinLocked of PowerSessionManager.cpp, there is a possible way to corrupt memory due to a use after free. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android kernelAndroid ID: A-236674672References: N/A
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-20925 resides within the PowerSessionManager.cpp component of Android's kernel implementation, specifically within the setUclampMinLocked function. This flaw represents a classic use-after-free vulnerability that occurs when memory previously allocated to an object is accessed after that memory has been freed and potentially reallocated for other purposes. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it exists within a critical system component responsible for power management and process scheduling policies.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management practices within the kernel-level power session management system. When the setUclampMinLocked function executes, it likely handles references to power session objects that may be freed while still being referenced elsewhere in the code path. This creates a scenario where subsequent operations attempt to access memory that has already been deallocated, leading to unpredictable behavior including memory corruption. The use-after-free condition typically occurs when the system fails to properly track object lifetimes or when reference counting mechanisms are not correctly implemented.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends to local privilege escalation capabilities, meaning an attacker with local system access could potentially elevate their privileges without requiring additional execution privileges or user interaction. This represents a significant security risk as it allows attackers to gain higher-level system permissions that would typically require administrative access or specific exploit prerequisites. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require user interaction, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered automatically when the affected system components are accessed or when power management operations occur.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which specifically addresses the use of freed memory condition, and may also relate to CWE-122, dealing with heap-based buffer overflow conditions. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically T1068, which involves exploiting vulnerabilities to gain elevated privileges. The fact that this vulnerability exists in the Android kernel and affects power session management suggests it could be leveraged to manipulate system scheduling policies, potentially allowing attackers to gain control over critical system processes or to establish persistent access mechanisms.
The mitigation strategy for this vulnerability requires immediate patching of affected Android kernel versions, as the fix would need to address the improper memory management within the PowerSessionManager.cpp file. System administrators and device manufacturers should prioritize updating their Android implementations to versions containing the corrected memory management logic. Additionally, monitoring for anomalous power management behavior or system stability issues could serve as an indicator of exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of rigorous memory management practices in kernel code and underscores the critical need for thorough code reviews and security testing of system-level components that handle process scheduling and resource management functions.