CVE-2023-21365 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 10/30/2023
In Contacts, there is a possible crash loop due to resource exhaustion. This could lead to local denial of service in the Phone app with User execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-21365 resides within the Contacts application component and represents a critical resource exhaustion flaw that can trigger persistent system instability. This vulnerability specifically targets the Phone app's operational integrity, creating a scenario where legitimate user execution privileges are sufficient to initiate the exploit without requiring any form of user interaction or manipulation. The flaw manifests as a crash loop condition that can perpetually destabilize the affected application, effectively rendering it unusable for its intended purpose. Such behavior constitutes a local denial of service condition that undermines the fundamental availability of core telephony services within the operating system.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with resource exhaustion attacks that target memory management or process allocation mechanisms within the Contacts application. The flaw likely involves improper handling of resource allocation during contact data processing or synchronization operations, where insufficient bounds checking or resource cleanup mechanisms allow malicious or unintended resource consumption patterns to accumulate. This type of vulnerability typically falls under the CWE category of resource exhaustion, specifically CWE-400, which encompasses issues where applications fail to properly manage system resources leading to denial of service conditions. The absence of user interaction requirements places this vulnerability in the category of automatically exploitable flaws, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1499.200 which covers resource exhaustion attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-21365 extends beyond simple application instability, as it creates a persistent condition that can disrupt normal communication services and potentially affect broader system functionality. When the Phone app enters a crash loop due to this vulnerability, users experience complete loss of telephony capabilities including incoming calls, outgoing calls, and SMS messaging. The resource exhaustion nature of the flaw means that the system may require manual intervention or reboot to restore normal operation, creating operational disruption for end users. This vulnerability particularly impacts environments where telephony services are critical for business operations or emergency communications, as the denial of service can persist until system resources are manually cleared or the device is restarted.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper resource management controls and bounds checking within the Contacts application. System administrators should prioritize applying security patches provided by the vendor as soon as available, as this vulnerability represents a clear threat to system availability. Additionally, implementing monitoring solutions that can detect resource exhaustion patterns and automatically alert administrators to potential exploitation attempts can provide early warning capabilities. From a defensive standpoint, the vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper resource management, particularly in applications that handle user data and maintain persistent system services. The flaw also underscores the need for comprehensive testing of resource management scenarios, including stress testing and memory allocation verification, to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other system components. Organizations should consider implementing application sandboxing or process isolation measures to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities on broader system functionality, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1566 which addresses credential access through system exploitation.