CVE-2023-21384 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 10/30/2023
In Package Manager, there is a possible possible permissions bypass due to an unsafe PendingIntent. This could lead to local information disclosure with User 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-2023-21384 resides within the Package Manager component of Android systems, representing a critical security flaw that exploits unsafe PendingIntent handling to enable unauthorized access to sensitive information. This vulnerability falls under the category of permission bypass issues, specifically targeting the Android operating system's application management framework. The flaw manifests when the system fails to properly validate PendingIntent objects, creating an opportunity for malicious applications to escalate their privileges and access data they should not be authorized to retrieve.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of PendingIntent objects within the Package Manager's security model. When applications attempt to register or utilize PendingIntents for package management operations, the system does not adequately verify the originating application's permissions or security context. This unsafe handling creates a pathway where a malicious actor can craft a specially constructed PendingIntent that bypasses normal access controls and gains unauthorized access to package information. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates without requiring user interaction, making it an automated attack vector that can be exploited silently in the background. The flaw essentially allows an application with basic user execution privileges to escalate its access level and read sensitive package data that should be restricted to system-level or privileged applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-21384 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it represents a fundamental weakness in Android's permission model and application isolation mechanisms. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could potentially access detailed information about installed applications, their permissions, configuration data, and other sensitive package metadata that could be used for further attacks or to gain deeper system insights. This type of local information disclosure can serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, including privilege escalation to system-level access or targeted attacks against specific applications. The vulnerability affects the core package management infrastructure, meaning that any application with basic user privileges could potentially exploit this flaw to compromise the integrity of the application ecosystem. The lack of user interaction requirement makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited automatically without any warning signs for the end user, potentially going unnoticed for extended periods.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-21384 should focus on implementing proper PendingIntent validation and security context checks within the Package Manager component. System administrators and developers should ensure that all PendingIntent objects are properly validated before execution, with particular attention to the originating application's security context and permissions. The Android security model should enforce stricter validation of PendingIntents to prevent unauthorized access to package information, potentially implementing additional checks for intent source verification and permission validation. Organizations should prioritize applying security patches and updates from their device manufacturers as soon as available, since this vulnerability affects the core operating system functionality. The mitigation approach aligns with CWE-264, which addresses permissions, privileges, and access controls, and follows ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and information gathering. Regular security audits of package management components and implementation of proper input validation for all PendingIntent operations should be standard practice to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future.