CVE-2023-20960 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 03/24/2023
In launchDeepLinkIntentToRight of SettingsHomepageActivity.java, there is a possible way to launch arbitrary activities due to improper input validation. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with User execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-12L Android-13Android ID: A-250589026
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/06/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-20960 resides within the Android operating system's SettingsHomepageActivity.java component, specifically in the launchDeepLinkIntentToRight method. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that allows malicious actors to potentially launch arbitrary activities through improper input validation mechanisms. The vulnerability affects Android 12L and Android 13 versions, making it particularly concerning given the widespread adoption of these operating system versions across various mobile devices and IoT implementations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of intent parameters passed to the deep link launching mechanism. When an application processes deep link intents, it typically validates the target activity and ensures proper authorization before execution. However, in this case, the validation process fails to properly sanitize or verify incoming parameters, creating an exploitation vector where attackers can manipulate the intent to redirect execution to unauthorized activities. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-20 category of "Improper Input Validation" and represents a classic privilege escalation pathway. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers "Local Privilege Escalation" through improper input handling.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables local privilege escalation with only user execution privileges required for exploitation. This means that an attacker with minimal access to a device can potentially elevate their privileges and gain access to sensitive system functions or data. The lack of user interaction requirement makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited automatically without requiring the user to perform any specific actions. The attack surface extends beyond simple activity launching to potentially include access to system-level resources, device configuration changes, and data exfiltration capabilities. This vulnerability particularly affects Android devices where the Settings application is accessible and where users might have legitimate access to the device's interface.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-20960 should focus on implementing robust input validation mechanisms within the SettingsHomepageActivity.java component. The primary fix involves strengthening the parameter validation logic in the launchDeepLinkIntentToRight method to ensure all incoming intent parameters are properly sanitized and authorized before execution. Organizations should implement strict whitelisting of acceptable activities that can be launched through deep links, and ensure that any external input is thoroughly validated against predefined safe patterns. Additionally, the Android security team should consider implementing additional sandboxing measures around the Settings application to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar validation flaws in other components of the Android framework. Device manufacturers and carriers should prioritize the deployment of security patches to affected Android versions, as this vulnerability could be exploited in various attack scenarios including targeted malware delivery and privilege escalation attacks.