CVE-2023-21175 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 06/28/2023
In onCreate of DataUsageSummary.java, there is a possible method for a guest user to enable or disable mobile data due to a permissions bypass. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-13Android ID: A-262243574
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/21/2023
The vulnerability described in CVE-2023-21175 represents a critical permission bypass flaw within Android's DataUsageSummary component that specifically affects Android 13 systems. This issue resides in the onCreate method of DataUsageSummary.java, where guest users can manipulate mobile data settings through unauthorized access paths. The vulnerability stems from insufficient access controls that fail to properly validate user permissions before allowing configuration changes to mobile data states. According to CWE-284, this flaw exemplifies an improper access control vulnerability where guest accounts can perform actions typically restricted to privileged users, creating a significant security gap in Android's user permission model.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a method that allows guest users to toggle mobile data on or off without proper authentication or authorization checks. This bypass mechanism operates at the application layer within the system's data usage management interface, where the onCreate method fails to enforce appropriate permission boundaries between different user roles. The flaw does not require any user interaction or additional privileges beyond existing guest account access, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited automatically by malicious actors who have gained guest-level access to a device. This represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates a failure in Android's privilege separation mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple mobile data control, as it enables potential local privilege escalation without requiring additional attack vectors or elevated privileges. A guest user who exploits this flaw could gain unauthorized control over network connectivity settings, potentially disrupting service availability or enabling further attacks through network-based exploitation. This vulnerability could allow attackers to disable mobile data to prevent emergency communications, enable data transmission to exfiltrate information, or create persistent access points through network connectivity manipulation. The implications are particularly severe in enterprise environments where guest access policies may be less strictly enforced, potentially enabling unauthorized users to compromise network security boundaries.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust permission validation within the DataUsageSummary component and ensuring proper access controls are enforced at all system interfaces. Android developers should implement comprehensive user role validation in the onCreate method to verify that only authorized users can modify mobile data settings. The fix should align with ATT&CK framework techniques related to privilege escalation and credential access, specifically addressing T1068 (Local Privilege Escalation) and T1566 (Phishing). Organizations should also consider implementing additional monitoring for unauthorized mobile data configuration changes and ensure proper user access controls are enforced through Android's built-in security mechanisms. Regular security audits of system components and proper code review processes should be implemented to identify similar permission bypass vulnerabilities before they can be exploited in production environments.