CVE-2023-35646 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
In TBD of TBD, there is a possible stack buffer overflow due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to remote code execution with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/31/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-35646 represents a critical stack buffer overflow flaw that exists within the target system's software components. This vulnerability stems from a fundamental lack of proper bounds checking mechanisms during memory allocation and data processing operations. The absence of input validation and boundary verification creates an exploitable condition where malicious data can overwrite adjacent memory locations on the stack. Such buffer overflow conditions are particularly dangerous because they can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code within the context of the vulnerable application. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by the fact that exploitation does not require any user interaction, making it a highly concerning threat vector that can be triggered remotely without prior authentication or user engagement.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through improper memory management practices where the software fails to validate the size of incoming data before copying it into fixed-size stack buffers. This missing bounds check creates a scenario where an attacker can craft malicious input that exceeds the allocated buffer space, causing a stack overwrite that can potentially redirect program execution flow. The vulnerability's architecture aligns with CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities. These classifications indicate that the flaw involves direct memory corruption through improper buffer handling, where the lack of proper input validation allows attackers to manipulate program execution through carefully constructed data payloads.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-35646 extends beyond simple data corruption or application crashes, as it provides a pathway for complete system compromise. Remote code execution capabilities mean that attackers can potentially gain full control over affected systems without requiring additional privileges or user interaction. This characteristic places the vulnerability in the ATT&CK framework under the T1059 technique category, which encompasses command and scripting interpreter execution. The vulnerability's remote exploitability also aligns with ATT&CK's T1190 technique for exploitation of remote services, as it can be leveraged through network-based attacks targeting the vulnerable application's interfaces. The lack of user interaction requirements makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous in automated attack scenarios where adversaries can deploy exploits at scale without human intervention.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-35646 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from vendors and implement comprehensive memory protection mechanisms. Organizations should deploy stack canaries and address space layout randomization to make exploitation more difficult, while also implementing input validation and bounds checking throughout the application codebase. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit potential attack surfaces, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other software components. The implementation of runtime application self-protection mechanisms and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of defense against exploitation attempts. Security teams should also monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability and maintain updated threat intelligence feeds to track exploitation activities targeting affected systems.