CVE-2023-25645 in AndroidTV STB
Summary
by MITRE • 06/16/2023
There is a permission and access control vulnerability in some ZTE AndroidTV STBs. Due to improper permission settings, non-privileged application can perform functions that are protected with signature/privilege-level permissions. Exploitation of this vulnerability could clear personal data and applications on the user's device, affecting device operation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-25645 represents a critical access control flaw within certain ZTE AndroidTV set-top boxes that operate on the Android operating system. This issue stems from inadequate permission management mechanisms that fail to properly enforce privilege boundaries between applications running on the device. The flaw allows malicious or benign applications with lower privilege levels to execute functions that should only be accessible to system-level applications or those with specific signature-based permissions. Such improper permission settings create a pathway for unauthorized access to protected system functions that are typically restricted to privileged components.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within the domain of CWE-284, which describes improper access control mechanisms in software systems. The flaw manifests as a failure in the Android permission model where the device does not adequately validate the privilege level of applications attempting to access sensitive system functions. This weakness enables applications without proper authorization to perform operations that could result in complete data loss or system disruption. The vulnerability specifically affects the AndroidTV STB environment where the typical security boundaries between user applications and system services have been compromised.
From an operational perspective, the impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to potentially catastrophic consequences for end users. The ability to clear personal data and applications from affected devices represents a severe threat to user privacy and device functionality. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to remotely wipe user data, remove installed applications, or otherwise compromise the device's operational integrity. This capability undermines the fundamental security assumptions of the AndroidTV platform and creates opportunities for malicious actors to disrupt user experience or extract sensitive information from compromised devices.
The security implications of CVE-2023-25645 align with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers the exploitation of legitimate credentials and access tokens. The vulnerability creates opportunities for attackers to leverage compromised applications or malicious code to gain access to privileged system functions without proper authentication or authorization. This flaw particularly affects the AndroidTV ecosystem where applications may not be properly sandboxed or where the permission system fails to enforce proper access controls. The vulnerability also relates to T1484, which addresses the manipulation of system access controls, as the flaw allows for unauthorized modification of access control policies within the device's security framework.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate firmware updates from ZTE to address the underlying permission handling issues. System administrators and users should implement strict application installation policies that limit the ability of untrusted applications to access system functions. The implementation of additional security controls such as application whitelisting and enhanced monitoring of system access patterns can help detect unauthorized access attempts. Organizations should also consider network-level controls to prevent exploitation attempts and maintain regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar access control weaknesses in their AndroidTV deployments. Additionally, the affected devices should be monitored for signs of unauthorized data clearing or application removal, as these activities may indicate successful exploitation of the vulnerability.