CVE-2023-21297 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 10/30/2023
In SEPolicy, there is a possible way to access the factory MAC address due to a permissions bypass. This could lead to local information disclosure with System 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-2023-21297 resides within the Security Enhanced Linux Policy framework, specifically targeting the permissions model that governs access controls on Android devices. This flaw represents a critical weakness in the system's ability to enforce proper access boundaries, particularly concerning hardware-level identifiers. The vulnerability allows for unauthorized access to the factory MAC address through a permissions bypass mechanism that undermines the fundamental security assumptions of the SEPolicy implementation. Such a disclosure represents a significant compromise to device privacy and security posture, as MAC addresses serve as unique identifiers that can be leveraged for tracking and correlation purposes across different network environments.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a flaw in the SEPolicy enforcement mechanisms that should normally prevent unauthorized access to hardware-specific identifiers. The permissions bypass enables an attacker with system-level execution privileges to circumvent the normal access control checks that would typically restrict access to factory MAC address information. This flaw operates at the kernel level within the Android security framework, where the policy enforcement system fails to properly validate access requests for hardware identifiers. The vulnerability does not require user interaction for exploitation, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered automatically by malicious system processes or applications that have already gained system-level privileges. The attack vector leverages the existing system execution privileges to perform unauthorized information disclosure operations against the device's hardware identifiers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as MAC address information can be used for device fingerprinting, tracking user behavior across different networks, and potentially for more sophisticated attacks. The factory MAC address represents a persistent identifier that can be used to correlate device activities over time and across different applications or services, creating a significant privacy risk for users. The vulnerability affects the integrity of the device's security model by allowing unauthorized access to hardware-level identifiers that should remain protected. This disclosure can enable attackers to perform more targeted attacks, including but not limited to device tracking, user profiling, and potentially facilitating further privilege escalation attacks. The implications are particularly severe in enterprise environments where device tracking and security compliance are critical requirements.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on strengthening the SEPolicy enforcement mechanisms and ensuring proper access control validation for hardware identifiers. System administrators should implement immediate patches or updates provided by device manufacturers to address the specific permissions bypass issue. The security model should be reviewed to ensure that hardware identifiers are properly protected through multiple layers of access control, including mandatory access controls that prevent unauthorized access regardless of user privileges. Organizations should also consider implementing additional monitoring mechanisms to detect unauthorized access attempts to hardware identifiers and establish proper incident response procedures for such security events. The remediation process should include verification that the SEPolicy rules properly enforce access restrictions and that no additional bypass mechanisms exist within the system. This vulnerability highlights the importance of continuous security testing and validation of access control mechanisms within mobile operating systems, as outlined in the CWE-284 access control weakness classification and ATT&CK technique T1068 for privilege escalation and access control bypass methods.