CVE-2023-20969 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 03/24/2023
In multiple locations of p2p_iface.cpp, there is a possible out of bounds read due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to local information disclosure with System execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-13Android ID: A-262236313
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/06/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-20969 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within the Android platform's peer-to-peer interface implementation. This issue resides in the p2p_iface.cpp source file where multiple locations lack proper bounds checking mechanisms. The flaw manifests when processing peer-to-peer network communications, specifically affecting the Android 13 operating system. The vulnerability's classification as a local information disclosure indicates that an attacker with system execution privileges can potentially extract sensitive data from memory locations beyond the intended buffer boundaries. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-129 weakness category, which encompasses issues related to improper validation of buffer boundaries and insufficient input sanitization.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to already possess system-level execution privileges, which significantly reduces the attack surface compared to vulnerabilities requiring user interaction. However, the impact remains severe as the out-of-bounds read could expose sensitive system information, potentially including memory contents, configuration data, or other confidential information that might aid in further exploitation attempts. The absence of bounds checking in multiple locations within the same file suggests a systemic code quality issue that may indicate broader architectural problems in the peer-to-peer interface implementation. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001, which involves the use of system commands and scripts, as the information disclosure could provide attackers with insights to craft more sophisticated attacks against the system.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-20969 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it represents a potential gateway for more advanced attacks within the Android ecosystem. When an attacker with system privileges can leverage this vulnerability to extract memory contents, they may discover cryptographic keys, authentication tokens, or other sensitive data that could enable privilege escalation or lateral movement within the system. The fact that this vulnerability affects Android 13 specifically indicates that it was introduced in recent system updates, making it particularly concerning for organizations that have recently upgraded their Android infrastructure. The vulnerability's location within the peer-to-peer interface component suggests that it could affect various network communication scenarios where Android devices interact with each other directly or through local network services.
Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected Android 13 devices to mitigate this vulnerability, as the lack of user interaction requirements for exploitation means that any device running vulnerable software is at risk. The recommended mitigation strategy involves applying the latest security updates from Google that address the bounds checking deficiencies in the p2p_iface.cpp file. Additionally, system administrators should implement monitoring solutions to detect unusual memory access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's presence in multiple locations within the same file suggests that a comprehensive code review and security audit of the peer-to-peer networking components is warranted to identify and address similar issues. From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of rigorous input validation and bounds checking in system-level code, particularly in networking components that handle untrusted data from peer devices. The issue also highlights the need for comprehensive static analysis tools and code review processes that can identify such memory safety vulnerabilities before they can be exploited in production environments.