CVE-2023-21390 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 10/30/2023
In Sim, there is a possible way to evade mobile preference restrictions due to a permission bypass. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-21390 represents a critical security flaw within the Sim mobile application ecosystem that enables unauthorized privilege escalation through a permission bypass mechanism. This vulnerability exists in the mobile preference restriction implementation, where the application fails to properly validate user permissions during critical operations. The flaw allows attackers to circumvent intended access controls that should normally prevent certain actions based on user roles or device configurations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates without requiring any user interaction, making it highly exploitable in automated attack scenarios. The underlying issue stems from improper permission validation logic that does not adequately enforce the mobile preference restrictions that are designed to protect system integrity and user data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a flaw in the application's permission checking mechanisms where the system fails to properly verify whether the executing process has the necessary privileges to perform certain operations. This permission bypass occurs at the application level where mobile preference restrictions are enforced, allowing malicious actors to escalate their privileges without requiring additional execution rights or elevated access. The vulnerability's exploitation pathway demonstrates a clear breakdown in the principle of least privilege enforcement, where the application's security model is bypassed through a logical flaw in the permission validation process. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, specifically focusing on inadequate permission checking mechanisms that allow unauthorized privilege escalation.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-21390 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to potentially enable full system compromise when combined with other exploitation techniques. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain elevated privileges without requiring additional attack vectors, making it particularly dangerous in environments where mobile applications handle sensitive data or system-level operations. The lack of user interaction requirement significantly increases the attack surface and reduces the detection difficulty, as the vulnerability can be exploited automatically without user awareness. This type of local privilege escalation vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of mobile applications and their underlying systems, potentially allowing attackers to access restricted data, modify system configurations, or establish persistent access points.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-21390 should focus on strengthening the permission validation mechanisms within the Sim application and implementing proper access control checks at all critical operation points. Organizations should immediately apply available patches or updates from the vendor to address the permission bypass vulnerability. The implementation of additional security controls such as mandatory access controls, enhanced privilege checking, and regular security audits can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring. System administrators should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous privilege escalation attempts and alert security teams to potential exploitation of this vulnerability. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability relates to T1068 which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and T1548 which addresses "Abuse of Functionality" where attackers exploit legitimate system features to gain elevated privileges. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar permission bypass vulnerabilities in mobile applications, particularly focusing on the enforcement of mobile preference restrictions and access control mechanisms.