CVE-2023-21319 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 10/30/2023
In UsageStatsService, there is a possible way to read installed 3rd party apps 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-2023-21319 resides within the UsageStatsService component of Android systems, representing a significant information disclosure flaw that undermines user privacy and system security. This weakness stems from improper handling of side channel information within the system's usage statistics collection mechanism, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive data about third-party applications installed on the device.
The technical flaw manifests through a side channel information disclosure vulnerability that operates without requiring any additional privileges or user interaction for exploitation. The UsageStatsService, which is designed to collect and provide usage statistics for applications, inadvertently exposes information about installed third-party applications through its data handling processes. This occurs when the service fails to properly isolate or sanitize the information flow, creating an unintended pathway for data leakage that can be exploited by malicious actors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with detailed insights into the application landscape of a target device. This information can be leveraged for various malicious purposes including targeted attacks, social engineering campaigns, and reconnaissance activities that could lead to more severe security compromises. The vulnerability's nature means that exploitation requires no additional privileges beyond what is normally available to applications, making it particularly concerning from a security perspective.
From a cybersecurity framework standpoint, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-200 (Information Exposure) and represents a significant deviation from proper access control mechanisms. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this under T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and potentially T1566 (Phishing) as attackers could use the disclosed information to craft more convincing social engineering attacks. The lack of user interaction requirement and the absence of additional execution privileges needed for exploitation makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be triggered automatically without any user awareness.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper access controls and data isolation within the UsageStatsService component. System administrators and device manufacturers should ensure that proper sandboxing mechanisms are in place to prevent unauthorized information leakage. Regular security updates and patches should be deployed immediately to address this vulnerability, while application developers should review their usage of system APIs that might interact with usage statistics services. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper information flow control and access restriction mechanisms in system services that handle sensitive user data.