CVE-2023-21159 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 06/28/2023
In Parse of simdata.cpp, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with System execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android kernelAndroid ID: A-263783565References: N/A
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-21159 resides within the parse functionality of simdata.cpp in the Android kernel, representing a critical out-of-bounds write condition that could enable local privilege escalation. This flaw manifests when the system processes simulated data without proper bounds validation, creating an opportunity for malicious code execution with system-level privileges. The vulnerability specifically affects Android kernel implementations and is catalogued under Android ID A-263783565, highlighting its significance within the mobile operating system ecosystem. The absence of bounds checking in the parsing routine allows attackers to write data beyond the allocated memory boundaries, potentially corrupting adjacent memory regions and compromising system integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the simdata.cpp component, where parsed data structures lack proper boundary verification mechanisms. This condition falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-129, which specifically addresses insufficient bounds checking in programming constructs. When the parsing routine encounters malformed or excessively sized input data, it fails to validate the data length against allocated buffer sizes, resulting in memory corruption that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The flaw operates at the kernel level, making it particularly dangerous as it can bypass standard user-space protections and directly manipulate system resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond typical local privilege escalation scenarios, as it requires only system execution privileges for exploitation rather than more restrictive administrative access. This means that any process running with system-level permissions could potentially leverage this vulnerability to gain further control over the device's core functionalities. The lack of user interaction requirements for exploitation makes this flaw particularly concerning from a security perspective, as it can be triggered automatically without requiring user engagement or specific actions. Attackers could potentially chain this vulnerability with other exploits to achieve full system compromise, making it a critical target for threat actors seeking persistent access to Android devices.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-21159 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from Android security teams, as the vulnerability represents a high-severity threat requiring urgent remediation. System administrators should implement comprehensive monitoring for anomalous memory access patterns and potential exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on kernel-level operations involving data parsing functions. The fix should include mandatory bounds checking mechanisms that validate all input data against predetermined buffer limits before processing, aligning with ATT&CK framework technique T1068 which addresses privilege escalation through kernel exploits. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries and address space layout randomization to further reduce the exploitability of similar vulnerabilities, while maintaining regular security assessments to identify potential related weaknesses in the kernel's data handling routines.