CVE-2023-21312 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 10/30/2023
In IntentResolver, there is a possible cross-user media read due to a confused deputy. 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-2023-21312 resides within the IntentResolver component of Android systems, representing a significant security flaw that enables unauthorized cross-user data access. This issue manifests as a confused deputy problem where a malicious application can exploit improper permission handling to read media files belonging to other user accounts on the same device. The vulnerability operates at the system level within the Android intent resolution framework, which is responsible for managing application communication and data sharing between different components. The confused deputy scenario occurs when a system service incorrectly interprets or forwards requests, allowing an application to bypass normal access controls and gain unauthorized read access to media content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability leverages the Android permission model's handling of inter-user communication channels. When applications attempt to resolve intents for media content, the IntentResolver fails to properly validate user context, enabling a malicious actor to craft requests that appear to originate from one user account while actually accessing resources belonging to another. This flaw specifically affects the way Android processes media-related intents and handles user permissions within multi-user environments. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires no additional privileges beyond what is normally granted to standard applications, and no user interaction is necessary for exploitation to occur. This means that a malicious app could silently access photos, videos, audio files, and other media stored by other user profiles on the same device.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-21312 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it represents a fundamental breach in Android's user isolation mechanisms that are designed to protect individual user data. Attackers could potentially harvest sensitive personal information including private photographs, videos, and audio recordings from other user profiles, creating significant privacy violations and potential data breaches. The lack of user interaction requirement and minimal privilege needs make this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited automatically without any user awareness or consent. This type of cross-user information disclosure can lead to identity theft, privacy violations, and unauthorized access to personal communications stored in media formats.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on strengthening the IntentResolver's permission validation mechanisms and implementing proper user context checking before allowing media access operations. Android security patches typically address such issues by enhancing the permission checking routines within the intent resolution framework and ensuring proper user isolation between different profiles. Organizations should implement regular security updates and monitor for patched versions of the Android operating system. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which describes improper access control, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1074.001 for data staging through local data staging, as the attacker can access and potentially exfiltrate data from other user profiles. System administrators should ensure all devices are updated with the latest security patches and consider implementing additional monitoring for unusual intent resolution patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.