CVE-2023-20964 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 03/24/2023
In multiple functions of MediaSessionRecord.java, there is a possible Intent rebroadcast due to a confused deputy. This could lead to local denial of service or escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-12 Android-12L Android-13Android ID: A-238177121
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/06/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-20964 resides within the MediaSessionRecord.java component of Android operating systems version 12, 12L, and 13. This flaw represents a confused deputy problem that occurs across multiple functions within the media session recording mechanism, where an attacker can manipulate intent rebroadcasting to exploit system resources. The vulnerability stems from improper validation of intent origins and lacks adequate authentication checks when processing media session events, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate system behavior through crafted intent broadcasts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the MediaSessionRecord.java file which handles media session management and recording operations within Android's multimedia framework. When the system processes media session events, it fails to properly validate the source of incoming intents, allowing a malicious application or process to forge intent broadcasts that appear legitimate to the system. This confusion between the actual intent sender and the malicious actor creates a deputy-like scenario where the system unwittingly executes commands on behalf of an unauthorized entity, potentially leading to privilege escalation or denial of service conditions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it can result in complete system compromise without requiring any additional execution privileges or user interaction for exploitation. An attacker can leverage this confused deputy scenario to gain unauthorized access to system resources, potentially enabling them to manipulate media session recordings, access sensitive data, or disrupt normal system operations through local denial of service attacks. The vulnerability affects the core multimedia framework of Android, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited across various media-related applications and services that rely on the MediaSessionRecord functionality.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and represents a classic confused deputy problem that can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1068 (Local Privilege Escalation) and T1484 (Domain Policy Modification). The flaw demonstrates poor input validation and insufficient intent verification mechanisms that should be implemented in Android's security model. The lack of user interaction requirements makes this vulnerability particularly concerning as it can be exploited automatically, potentially enabling zero-click attacks against vulnerable devices. Organizations should prioritize patching this vulnerability as it provides a direct pathway for unauthorized access to system resources and can be leveraged to escalate privileges without additional attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate deployment of security patches provided by Google for Android versions 12, 12L, and 13, along with enhanced monitoring of media session related activities on affected systems. System administrators should implement additional access controls and privilege separation measures to limit the impact of potential exploitation. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper intent validation and authentication checks in Android's security architecture, emphasizing the need for robust security controls in system-level components that handle multimedia session management. Regular security assessments of media framework components should be conducted to identify similar confused deputy scenarios that could potentially lead to privilege escalation or denial of service conditions.