CVE-2023-21308 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 10/30/2023
In Composer, there is a possible out of bounds read due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to local escalation of privilege 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-2023-21308 represents a critical out-of-bounds read condition within the Composer software ecosystem that fundamentally compromises system security through a missing bounds check implementation. This flaw exists in the core processing logic where input validation fails to properly verify array or buffer boundaries before accessing memory locations. The vulnerability specifically affects Composer's handling of user-supplied data or configuration parameters that are processed without adequate boundary validation, creating a scenario where malicious actors can manipulate memory access patterns to read data beyond intended buffer limits.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a direct memory access manipulation technique that leverages the absence of proper input sanitization and boundary verification mechanisms. When Composer processes data structures containing user inputs or external configuration files, the software fails to validate the size or range of expected data before performing memory operations. This missing bounds check creates a predictable access pattern that allows an attacker to traverse memory boundaries and potentially read sensitive information from adjacent memory locations, including credentials, encryption keys, or other confidential data stored in memory. The vulnerability operates at the kernel or system-level processing where memory management occurs, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited without requiring any additional privileges beyond what is normally available to a standard user account.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-21308 extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass full local privilege escalation capabilities that can be exploited by malicious actors with minimal attack surface requirements. This vulnerability enables an attacker to elevate their privileges from a standard user level to administrative or root access without requiring any additional execution privileges or user interaction. The absence of user interaction requirements makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited automatically during normal system operations or through automated attack vectors. The flaw essentially creates a backdoor pathway within the software's memory management architecture that bypasses normal privilege enforcement mechanisms, allowing for complete system compromise when exploited by a local attacker.
Security practitioners should recognize this vulnerability as a classic example of CWE-129 Input Validation and OWASP Top Ten Category A03: Injection, where insufficient input validation leads to memory corruption vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique under T1068, where adversaries leverage software vulnerabilities to gain higher privileges. Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patch deployment from the software vendor, followed by comprehensive code review processes to identify similar boundary check deficiencies across the application codebase. System administrators should implement additional monitoring and logging controls to detect anomalous memory access patterns, while also considering privilege separation techniques and input sanitization measures to reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of implementing comprehensive memory safety practices and adhering to secure coding standards that prevent such fundamental boundary violations in system-level software components.