CVE-2023-21294 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 10/30/2023
In Slice, there is a possible disclosure of installed packages due to a missing permission check. This could lead to local information disclosure with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/22/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-21294 resides within the Slice application ecosystem, representing a critical information disclosure flaw that stems from inadequate permission validation mechanisms. This weakness allows unauthorized access to installed package information without requiring any additional execution privileges or user interaction, making it particularly concerning from a security perspective. The vulnerability manifests when the application fails to properly enforce access controls that should restrict visibility of package installation details to authorized users only.
The technical implementation flaw involves a missing permission check that should have validated user credentials and access rights before exposing package information. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-284 category, which specifically addresses improper access control mechanisms where applications fail to properly verify that users have appropriate authorization levels before granting access to sensitive information. The absence of proper authorization checks creates an attack surface where malicious actors can potentially enumerate installed software packages without legitimate access rights, leading to comprehensive system reconnaissance.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability enables local information disclosure that could significantly aid attackers in understanding the target system's software landscape. The lack of user interaction requirements for exploitation means that an attacker could leverage this vulnerability silently in the background without alerting system administrators or users. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK technique T1069.001, which covers "Permission Groups Discovery" through local system enumeration methods, and T1087.001, covering "Local Account Discovery" as attackers can now gather intelligence about installed packages that may reveal system configuration and potentially identify software versions with known vulnerabilities.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as knowledge of installed packages can enable more sophisticated attacks. Attackers can use this information to identify potential attack vectors through software-specific vulnerabilities, determine system maturity levels, and plan targeted exploitation strategies. The local nature of the vulnerability means that it can be exploited by any user with access to the system, potentially including unprivileged accounts or compromised services running with lower privileges. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where privilege escalation opportunities may exist.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper access control mechanisms that validate user permissions before exposing package information. The application should enforce mandatory access controls that ensure only authorized users or processes can access installed package data. Additionally, security hardening measures should include regular permission audits, implementation of principle of least privilege models, and proper logging of access attempts to installed packages. System administrators should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous access patterns to package information and alert security teams to potential exploitation attempts. The fix should involve comprehensive code reviews to identify all potential missing permission checks and ensure proper authorization validation throughout the application's functionality.