CVE-2023-21306 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 10/30/2023
In ContentService, there is a possible way to read installed sync content providers due to side channel information disclosure. 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-2023-21306 resides within the ContentService component of a software system, representing a significant information disclosure weakness that operates through side channel attacks. This flaw allows adversaries to potentially access installed sync content providers without requiring any additional execution privileges or user interaction, making it particularly concerning from a security perspective. The vulnerability's classification as a side channel information disclosure indicates that attackers can exploit indirect information flows rather than direct system exploitation techniques, leveraging subtle timing variations, power consumption patterns, or other environmental factors to infer sensitive data about the system's installed components.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient access controls and information hiding mechanisms within the ContentService framework. When sync content providers are installed on the system, they create observable artifacts that can be accessed through side channel analysis techniques. This type of vulnerability commonly maps to CWE-200 (Information Exposure) and potentially CWE-310 (Cryptographic Issues) when the disclosed information can be used to infer cryptographic key material or system state information. The attack vector operates through the analysis of system behavior patterns, where an attacker can observe timing differences or other indirect indicators to determine which sync content providers are installed and potentially their configuration details.
From an operational impact standpoint, this vulnerability creates a persistent risk for systems that rely on content synchronization services, particularly those handling sensitive or confidential data. The local information disclosure aspect means that an attacker with minimal privileges can gain insights into the system's content provider landscape, potentially enabling more sophisticated attacks such as privilege escalation or targeted exploitation of specific content provider implementations. The lack of required user interaction makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited automatically without the need for social engineering or user deception techniques. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and potentially T1068 (Local Privilege Escalation) when combined with other vulnerabilities or when the disclosed information reveals exploitable patterns in system behavior.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-21306 should focus on implementing proper access controls and information hiding mechanisms within the ContentService component. Organizations should ensure that installed sync content providers are not exposed through side channel vulnerabilities by implementing proper isolation techniques and access restriction mechanisms. The security architecture should enforce strict boundaries between different system components to prevent indirect information leakage. System administrators should review and update access control policies to ensure that only authorized processes can query or observe content provider information. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output sanitization within the ContentService framework can help prevent the leakage of information through side channels. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify potential side channel vulnerabilities in similar system components. The mitigation approach should also consider implementing monitoring and alerting mechanisms to detect unusual patterns of content provider access that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of considering side channel attack vectors during system design and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing beyond traditional vulnerability scanning approaches.