CVE-2023-30641 in Smart Phone
Summary
by MITRE • 07/06/2023
Improper access control vulnerability in Settings prior to SMR Jul-2023 Release 1 allows physical attacker to use restricted user profile to access device owner's google account data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/06/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-30641 represents a critical improper access control flaw within the Settings application of Android devices prior to the SMR Jul-2023 Release 1. This weakness stems from insufficient authorization checks that allow a physically present attacker to exploit a restricted user profile to gain unauthorized access to the device owner's google account data. The vulnerability specifically affects the Android operating system's user management and account access controls, creating a privilege escalation path that bypasses normal security boundaries between user profiles.
The technical implementation of this flaw resides in the improper validation of user permissions within the Settings component that manages account access and profile restrictions. When a restricted user profile attempts to access google account data through the Settings application, the system fails to properly verify whether the requesting user has adequate authorization rights to access the owner's account information. This represents a violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates a breakdown in the Android security model's multi-user isolation mechanisms. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-284 which specifically addresses improper access control, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation through legitimate system access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables a physically present attacker to compromise sensitive account data without requiring additional authentication factors or complex attack vectors. The restricted user profile typically has limited access rights but the flaw allows this profile to bypass normal account boundaries and access the owner's google account credentials, email, contacts, and other personal data stored in the cloud. This creates a substantial risk for users who share devices with others or have restricted profiles enabled for family members, employees, or guests who might exploit this weakness.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-30641 include immediate installation of the SMR Jul-2023 Release 1 security patches which address the improper access control implementation in the Settings application. Organizations should also implement additional administrative controls such as disabling restricted user profiles when not required, enforcing strong authentication mechanisms for all accounts, and conducting regular security audits of user access controls. System administrators should monitor for unauthorized access attempts and ensure proper account management practices are followed. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and demonstrates how seemingly minor access control flaws can lead to significant data compromise. Network security teams should also consider implementing additional monitoring for suspicious account access patterns and ensure that device-level security policies are properly configured to prevent unauthorized profile access.