CVE-2023-21370 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 10/30/2023
In the Security Element API, there is a possible out of bounds write due to an integer overflow. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with System 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-2023-21370 resides within the Security Element API component, representing a critical integer overflow condition that manifests as an out of bounds write flaw. This issue specifically affects systems where the Security Element API handles input validation and processing of integer values that may exceed their allocated memory boundaries during normal operations. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-190, Integer Overflow or Wraparound, where arithmetic operations produce results that exceed the maximum value representable by the underlying data type, leading to unexpected behavior in memory management and access patterns.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves scenarios where integer variables within the Security Element API fail to properly validate input values before performing arithmetic operations or memory allocation calculations. When these operations result in integer overflow conditions, the subsequent memory writes occur at unintended memory locations, potentially corrupting critical system structures or data segments. The exploitability of this flaw does not require user interaction, indicating that it can be triggered automatically through legitimate API calls or system operations that pass malformed integer inputs to the vulnerable component. This autonomous exploitation capability significantly increases the threat surface and potential impact of the vulnerability.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-21370 extends to local privilege escalation scenarios where an attacker with system execution privileges can leverage this vulnerability to gain elevated access rights within the affected system. The integer overflow condition creates opportunities for memory corruption that can be manipulated to execute arbitrary code with higher privilege levels, potentially allowing attackers to bypass security controls and establish persistent access. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as it provides a mechanism for local users to elevate their privileges through exploitation of the underlying API implementation flaws. The system execution privileges required for exploitation indicate that the vulnerability targets components that operate with elevated permissions, making the potential impact more severe.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation and integer overflow protection mechanisms within the Security Element API. Developers must ensure proper bounds checking and overflow detection before any arithmetic operations that could result in memory allocation calculations. The implementation of defensive programming practices including integer overflow detection libraries and static analysis tools can help identify and prevent similar vulnerabilities in the codebase. Additionally, system administrators should apply vendor-provided patches immediately upon release, as this vulnerability represents a critical threat that could enable complete system compromise. Regular security assessments and code reviews focusing on memory management and integer handling practices should be implemented to prevent similar issues from emerging in other components of the security infrastructure. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of adhering to secure coding practices and following industry standards such as those defined in the OWASP Secure Coding Practices and CERT Secure Coding Standards to prevent integer overflow conditions that can lead to memory corruption and privilege escalation attacks.