CVE-2023-28912 in Volkswagen MIB3 Infotainment System MIB3 OI MQB
Summary
by MITRE • 06/28/2025
The MIB3 unit stores the synchronized phone contact book in clear-text, allowing an attacker with either code execution privilege on the system or physical access to the system to obtain vehicle owner's contact data. The vulnerability was originally discovered in Skoda Superb III car with MIB3 infotainment unit OEM part number 3V0035820. The list of affected MIB3 OEM part numbers is provided in the referenced resources.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/28/2025
The CVE-2023-28912 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in Volkswagen Group's MIB3 infotainment systems, specifically affecting vehicles such as the Skoda Superb III. This vulnerability stems from the improper handling of sensitive data within the vehicle's infotainment unit, where phone contact information is stored in plaintext format rather than being encrypted or protected. The flaw exists at the data storage level within the MIB3 system, which serves as the primary interface for vehicle connectivity and communication features. The vulnerability's discovery highlights the growing security concerns in connected automotive environments where personal data is increasingly stored and processed within vehicle systems. The affected systems demonstrate a fundamental failure in data protection principles, as they store sensitive personal information without adequate cryptographic safeguards.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows for unauthorized data access through two primary attack vectors. An attacker with code execution privileges on the system can directly access the stored contact data, while physical access to the vehicle's system provides the same opportunity. This dual attack surface significantly increases the exploitability of the vulnerability, as both remote and local attack scenarios are possible. The plaintext storage approach violates fundamental security practices outlined in cybersecurity frameworks and represents a clear violation of data protection standards. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple privacy concerns to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks such as social engineering campaigns, identity theft, or targeted phishing operations. The affected OEM part numbers, including 3V0035820, indicate this is not an isolated incident but rather a systemic issue within the MIB3 platform architecture.
The operational impact of this vulnerability creates significant risks for vehicle owners and organizations managing fleets of affected vehicles. The exposure of personal contact information from vehicle owners' phone books creates a substantial privacy breach that could lead to various downstream security incidents. From an attacker perspective, this vulnerability aligns with tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the data exposure category, specifically targeting the collection of sensitive information from systems. The vulnerability's presence in automotive systems also raises concerns about the broader automotive cybersecurity landscape, as it demonstrates how connected vehicle features can introduce attack vectors that were not traditionally considered in vehicle security models. Organizations implementing automotive security measures must recognize that infotainment systems, while designed for convenience, can become significant security risk vectors when not properly secured.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-28912 require both immediate and long-term approaches to address the plaintext storage issue. Immediate actions should include firmware updates from Volkswagen Group that implement proper encryption of stored contact data, as well as network segmentation measures to prevent unauthorized access to vehicle systems. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-312 (CWE-312: Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) which emphasizes the importance of protecting sensitive data through appropriate cryptographic measures. Vehicle owners and fleet managers should implement access controls and physical security measures to prevent unauthorized physical access to affected systems. Long-term solutions must address the fundamental architectural issues within the MIB3 platform, ensuring that all personal data stored within vehicle systems is properly encrypted and protected according to industry standards. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of applying security by design principles in automotive systems, particularly when handling personally identifiable information. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring and detection capabilities to identify potential unauthorized access attempts to vehicle data storage systems.