CVE-2023-21397 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 10/30/2023
In Setup Wizard, there is a possible way to save a WiFi network due to an insecure default value. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/06/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-21397 resides within the Setup Wizard component of a system, specifically manifesting as an insecure default configuration that permits unauthorized WiFi network saving capabilities. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that undermines the integrity of the device's network configuration process and creates an avenue for privilege escalation without requiring any additional malicious code execution or user interaction. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-259 as an issue with weak or insecure default passwords, though in this context it manifests as insecure default values within the WiFi setup process rather than traditional authentication credentials.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the Setup Wizard's failure to properly validate or enforce secure default configurations when processing WiFi network setup requests. When a user initiates the WiFi setup process through the wizard, the system defaults to accepting network configurations without sufficient verification mechanisms, allowing any local process or user account to save WiFi credentials with elevated privileges. This insecure default behavior creates a persistent security gap that can be exploited by malicious actors who have local access to the device, potentially enabling them to establish persistent network access points or modify network configurations in ways that could compromise the entire system. The lack of user interaction requirements means that exploitation can occur automatically upon system access, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where local privilege escalation is not properly controlled.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple network configuration manipulation to encompass potential local privilege escalation scenarios that could allow attackers to gain elevated system privileges without additional attack vectors. This represents a significant concern for security frameworks as it eliminates the need for additional exploitation techniques or user interaction, effectively creating a backdoor for unauthorized privilege elevation. The vulnerability can be leveraged to establish persistent access points, modify system configurations, or potentially escalate to full system compromise depending on the underlying system architecture. The implications align with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers local privilege escalation and T1059 which encompasses command and scripting interpreters, as the vulnerable system could be exploited to execute arbitrary commands with elevated privileges.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper input validation and secure default configurations within the Setup Wizard component, ensuring that all network setup operations require appropriate authentication and authorization checks before allowing WiFi network saving. System administrators should review and update default configurations to eliminate insecure practices, while also implementing monitoring mechanisms to detect unauthorized network configuration changes. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following security best practices such as the principle of least privilege and secure configuration management, which are fundamental to maintaining system integrity and preventing unauthorized access. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as application whitelisting, process monitoring, and regular security audits to detect and prevent exploitation of similar insecure default configurations across their network infrastructure.