CVE-2023-30684 in Smart Phone
Summary
by MITRE • 08/10/2023
Improper access control in Samsung Telecom prior to SMR Aug-2023 Release 1 allows local attackers to call acceptRingingCall API without permission.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/10/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-30684 represents a critical access control flaw within Samsung Telecom's mobile communication framework that existed prior to the August 2023 Security Maintenance Release. This issue specifically affects the acceptRingingCall API functionality, which is designed to handle incoming call acceptance within the telecommunications stack. The flaw stems from insufficient authorization checks that allow any local application or process to invoke this privileged API without proper authentication or permission validation. The vulnerability exists at the system-level interface where telecommunications services interact with the Android framework, creating a pathway for malicious applications to bypass normal security boundaries that should protect sensitive call handling operations.
From a technical perspective, this improper access control vulnerability manifests as a failure in the Android permission model implementation within Samsung's telecom stack. The acceptRingingCall API operates at a privileged level that should only be accessible to system-level components or applications with explicit telephony permissions. However, the vulnerability allows local attackers to exploit a weakness in the inter-process communication mechanism that governs how telecom services interact with other applications. This weakness enables arbitrary code execution within the context of the telecom service, potentially allowing attackers to intercept, manipulate, or redirect incoming calls without proper authorization. The flaw aligns with CWE-284 which describes improper access control vulnerabilities where insufficient authorization checks permit unauthorized access to protected resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized call acceptance, as it creates potential for more sophisticated attacks within the mobile communication ecosystem. Local attackers could leverage this vulnerability to perform call interception, redirect calls to malicious endpoints, or even execute arbitrary commands through the telecom service interface. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that this vulnerability exists at the system level and can be exploited by any application installed on the device. Security researchers have noted that such flaws can be particularly dangerous when combined with other vulnerabilities, as they may provide attackers with persistent access to sensitive communication channels that could be used for surveillance or data exfiltration activities. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of mobile communications, potentially violating privacy regulations and security compliance requirements.
Organizations and users should immediately implement mitigations that include updating to the Samsung Security Maintenance Release 1 for August 2023, which contains the necessary patches to address this access control flaw. The patch resolves the issue by implementing proper authorization checks for the acceptRingingCall API, ensuring that only applications with appropriate telephony permissions can invoke this functionality. System administrators should also consider implementing additional monitoring for suspicious telecom service interactions and reviewing application permissions to prevent unauthorized access to privileged APIs. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper access control implementation in mobile operating systems and highlights the need for continuous security assessments of system-level interfaces. Organizations should also consider implementing mobile device management policies that restrict application permissions and monitor for potential exploitation attempts through behavioral analysis of telecom service usage patterns. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies for mobile communication platforms.