CVE-2023-21376 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 10/30/2023
In Telephony, there is a possible way to retrieve the ICCID due to a logic error in the code. 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 • 03/06/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-21376 resides within the telephony subsystem of a mobile operating system, specifically affecting the handling of Integrated Circuit Card Identifier (ICCID) information. This flaw represents a logic error in the code implementation that allows unauthorized access to sensitive SIM card information without requiring any special privileges or user interaction. The ICCID serves as a critical identifier for mobile devices and their associated SIM cards, making this disclosure particularly concerning from a security perspective. The vulnerability manifests in the telephony service component where the system fails to properly enforce access controls for ICCID retrieval operations, creating an information disclosure channel that can be exploited by malicious applications or processes running with standard user privileges.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which describes "Information Exposure" where sensitive information is accessible to unauthorized actors. The flaw operates at the application level within the telephony framework, where the code logic does not adequately validate or restrict access to the ICCID data structure. This logical error means that the system does not properly implement the principle of least privilege, allowing any process with access to the telephony service to potentially extract the ICCID. The vulnerability does not require any special execution privileges or user interaction, which significantly increases its exploitability and risk profile. Attackers can leverage this weakness to gain insights into mobile device identification and SIM card information without needing to perform complex exploitation techniques or physical access to the device.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-21376 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as ICCID data can be used for various malicious purposes including device tracking, SIM card cloning attempts, and targeted attacks against specific mobile users. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality aspect of the CIA triad by allowing unauthorized access to sensitive identification information that should remain protected within the secure boundaries of the telephony subsystem. Mobile device manufacturers and operating system vendors face significant security implications from this flaw, as it potentially exposes users to increased tracking risk and makes them more susceptible to SIM swap attacks. The lack of user interaction requirements means that this vulnerability can be exploited automatically by malware or malicious applications without user awareness, creating a persistent threat vector that could be leveraged for long-term surveillance or identity theft activities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper access controls and input validation within the telephony service components. System administrators and device manufacturers should ensure that all telephony service APIs properly enforce authentication and authorization checks before allowing access to sensitive ICCID information. The fix should involve modifying the code logic to properly restrict access to ICCID data based on proper privilege levels and application context. Security patches should be deployed immediately to address this vulnerability, as it represents a significant risk to user privacy and device security. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized access attempts to telephony service components and establish proper incident response procedures for handling potential exploitation of this information disclosure vulnerability. The remediation approach should follow established security practices for privilege separation and data protection as outlined in industry standards and best practices for mobile security implementations.