CVE-2023-30683 in Smart Phone
Summary
by MITRE • 08/10/2023
Improper access control in Telecom prior to SMR Aug-2023 Release 1 allows local attackers to call endCall API without permission.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-30683 represents a critical access control flaw within telecommunications software systems prior to the SMR August 2023 Release 1. This weakness specifically affects the endCall application programming interface which is designed to manage call termination processes within telecom infrastructure. The improper access control mechanism allows unauthorized local attackers to invoke the endCall API without possessing the necessary permissions, creating a significant security risk within telecommunications networks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate authentication and authorization checks within the telecom software architecture. The endCall API should require specific privileges or authentication tokens to execute call termination operations, but the flaw permits any local process or user to invoke this function directly. This represents a classic violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates poor input validation and access control implementation. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-285 which specifically addresses improper authorization in software systems, making it a direct descendant of well-known access control weaknesses that have plagued enterprise and telecommunications software for decades.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates substantial risks for telecom operators and network security. Local attackers who can exploit this weakness can potentially disrupt service by terminating legitimate calls, initiate denial of service conditions, or even manipulate call billing data through unauthorized call termination. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption as it could enable more sophisticated attacks such as call hijacking or unauthorized network access through the compromised API endpoint. The local nature of the attack means that attackers do not require external network access or complex exploitation techniques, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where local system access is possible.
The attack surface for this vulnerability is significant within telecom environments where multiple applications and services may have local access to the telecommunications infrastructure. Attackers could leverage this weakness through compromised local accounts, malware running on telecom devices, or through legitimate administrative tools that have been configured with insufficient access controls. The vulnerability's impact is further amplified by the potential for cascading effects where unauthorized call termination could disrupt critical communications or create opportunities for additional attacks on the network infrastructure. Organizations should consider this vulnerability in the context of ATT&CK framework's T1068 (Local Privilege Escalation) and T1566 (Phishing) techniques that could be employed to gain the necessary local access to exploit this weakness.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-30683 should prioritize immediate implementation of proper access controls and authentication mechanisms for the endCall API. Organizations must ensure that all API endpoints within telecom systems enforce strict authorization checks and implement proper role-based access control measures. The recommended approach includes implementing multi-factor authentication for API access, establishing audit trails for all endCall API invocations, and ensuring that only authorized processes can execute these critical functions. Additionally, regular security assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar access control weaknesses throughout the telecommunications infrastructure. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining robust access control mechanisms in network infrastructure, particularly in environments where unauthorized access could lead to significant service disruption or security breaches.