CVE-2023-21207 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 06/28/2023
In initiateTdlsSetupInternal of sta_iface.cpp, there is a possible out of bounds read 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-13Android ID: A-262236670
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-21207 resides within the Android operating system's wireless networking stack, specifically in the sta_iface.cpp source file at the initiateTdlsSetupInternal function. This represents a critical security flaw that could enable malicious actors to escalate privileges locally on Android 13 devices. The vulnerability manifests as an out-of-bounds read condition that occurs when the system fails to validate array indices before accessing memory locations, creating a potential pathway for unauthorized code execution with system-level privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the TDLS (Tunneled Direct Link Setup) protocol handling mechanism. TDLS is a wireless networking standard that enables direct communication between wireless devices without routing through an access point, commonly used in enterprise and consumer wireless environments. When the initiateTdlsSetupInternal function processes incoming wireless communication data, it does not properly validate the bounds of array access operations, allowing an attacker to craft malicious TDLS packets that trigger memory access violations. This particular flaw maps to CWE-129, which specifically addresses insufficient bounds checking in programming contexts, and can be classified under the ATT&CK technique T1068 for local privilege escalation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it provides a pathway for local privilege escalation that could result in complete system compromise. An attacker with local access to an Android 13 device could exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with system-level privileges, potentially gaining access to sensitive user data, system files, and network resources. The absence of user interaction requirements makes this vulnerability particularly concerning as it can be exploited automatically without requiring user engagement or specific conditions. The vulnerability affects all Android 13 devices and represents a significant security risk in environments where physical access to devices might be possible.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-21207 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from Google and device manufacturers, as this vulnerability represents a high-severity threat that could be exploited in various attack scenarios. Organizations should implement network monitoring to detect anomalous TDLS traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while also ensuring that wireless network configurations properly restrict TDLS functionality where possible. The vulnerability highlights the importance of robust input validation in wireless protocol implementations and underscores the need for comprehensive security testing of networking components. Security teams should monitor for any reported exploitation attempts and consider implementing device hardening measures that limit wireless protocol capabilities in sensitive environments. Additionally, this vulnerability reinforces the necessity of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing proper code review processes that include thorough bounds checking validation for all array access operations within wireless networking components.