CVE-2023-28208 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 09/06/2023
A logic issue was addressed with improved state management. This issue is fixed in macOS Ventura 13.2, iOS 16.3 and iPadOS 16.3. A user may send a text from a secondary eSIM despite configuring a contact to use a primary eSIM.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/12/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2023-28208 represents a logic flaw in the cellular network management system of Apple's mobile operating systems. This issue specifically affects the handling of eSIM (embedded SIM) configuration where the system fails to properly enforce the user's intended primary eSIM assignment for specific contacts. The problem manifests when a user has configured a primary eSIM for their main cellular service while maintaining a secondary eSIM for backup or alternative purposes. Despite the explicit configuration setting that should restrict certain contacts to use only the primary eSIM, the system allows text messages to be sent through the secondary eSIM, creating a potential security and operational inconsistency in cellular communications.
This logic issue falls under the category of improper access control and state management failures, which aligns with CWE-284 for improper access control and CWE-254 for security misconfiguration. The vulnerability represents a breakdown in the operating system's state management mechanisms that should maintain consistent and secure communication channel assignments for users. The flaw essentially creates a scenario where user intent regarding cellular service preferences is not properly enforced, potentially leading to unauthorized communication through unintended channels. The issue is particularly concerning in environments where cellular security and privacy are paramount, such as in enterprise settings or for users handling sensitive communications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple inconvenience to potential security implications for users who rely on specific cellular configurations for privacy or business purposes. When a user configures a contact to use a primary eSIM, they expect that communication channel to be consistently enforced across all messaging operations. The bypass of this configuration could result in sensitive information being transmitted through an unintended cellular network, potentially exposing data to different security contexts or monitoring environments. This inconsistency in state management could also affect users who have specific billing arrangements or service plans tied to particular eSIM configurations, leading to unexpected charges or service disruptions.
Apple addressed this vulnerability through updates to macOS Ventura 13.2 and iOS 16.3, implementing improved state management protocols to ensure that eSIM configuration settings are properly enforced. The fix likely involves strengthening the validation mechanisms that check whether outgoing communications comply with the user's configured eSIM preferences. Organizations should prioritize deployment of these updates to maintain secure cellular communication practices. The remediation process should include verification that eSIM configurations are properly enforced and that users cannot inadvertently bypass their intended communication channel preferences. System administrators should also consider conducting security assessments to ensure that cellular communication policies are properly implemented and maintained across their device fleets. This vulnerability highlights the importance of robust state management in mobile operating systems and demonstrates how seemingly minor logic flaws can create significant security implications in telecommunications environments.