CVE-2023-21014 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-257029326
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/08/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-21014 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within the Android system's peer-to-peer interface implementation. This issue manifests in the p2p_iface.cpp source file where developers have failed to implement proper bounds checking mechanisms. The absence of these essential validation controls creates a scenario where malicious code can access memory locations beyond the intended buffer boundaries, potentially exposing sensitive system information.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which specifically addresses insufficient bounds checking in software implementations. This flaw operates at the kernel level within Android's connectivity subsystem, particularly affecting peer-to-peer networking functionality. The vulnerability requires system execution privileges for exploitation, indicating that it targets the underlying operating system rather than user applications. This requirement suggests that an attacker would need to establish a foothold within the system or have elevated access rights to leverage this weakness effectively.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-21014 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it could potentially enable attackers to extract confidential data from system memory. This includes but is not limited to network credentials, device identifiers, and other sensitive operational parameters that could be exploited to further compromise the Android device. The vulnerability's presence in Android 13 makes it particularly concerning as this represents a widely deployed operating system version with significant market penetration. The Android ID A-257029326 indicates this issue was formally recognized and tracked by Google's security team, emphasizing its severity within their assessment framework.
From an adversary perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command execution and T1082 for system information discovery. The lack of user interaction requirements for exploitation makes this particularly dangerous as it can be triggered automatically without requiring social engineering or user deception. Attackers could potentially chain this vulnerability with other exploits to escalate privileges or gain deeper system access. The implementation flaw in p2p_iface.cpp suggests a code review gap where memory management practices were not adequately enforced, creating a persistent security risk across all affected Android devices.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patch deployment through official Android security updates, as well as implementing runtime protections such as address space layout randomization and stack canaries. Organizations should also consider network-level monitoring to detect anomalous peer-to-peer traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of bounds checking in system-level code and highlights the necessity of comprehensive security testing for connectivity components within mobile operating systems. Regular security audits and formal verification processes should be implemented to prevent similar issues in future code releases.