CVE-2023-35652 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
In ProtocolEmergencyCallListIndAdapter::Init of protocolcalladapter.cpp, there is a possible out of bounds read due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to remote information disclosure with baseband firmware compromise required. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/31/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-35652 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within the ProtocolEmergencyCallListIndAdapter::Init function of the protocolcalladapter.cpp source file. This issue resides in the baseband firmware component of mobile communication devices, specifically affecting how emergency call list indicators are processed during protocol initialization. The flaw stems from an inadequate bounds check implementation that fails to validate array access limits before reading data from memory locations. According to CWE-129, this vulnerability falls under improper validation of array indices, a common class of software defects that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability requires baseband firmware compromise for exploitation, indicating that attackers must first gain access to the underlying firmware layer before they can leverage this specific memory access flaw.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable full system compromise through remote exploitation. While user interaction is not required for exploitation, the necessity of baseband firmware compromise suggests that attackers must first establish a foothold within the device's low-level operational environment. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, as it could enable attackers to execute arbitrary code within the baseband processing environment. The out-of-bounds read condition creates an opportunity for attackers to access memory locations beyond the intended array boundaries, potentially revealing sensitive information stored in adjacent memory regions. This memory access pattern can expose cryptographic keys, authentication credentials, or other confidential data that resides in the device's memory space.
Security researchers have identified that this vulnerability represents a significant risk to mobile device security due to its location within the baseband processing layer where critical communication protocols are handled. The baseband firmware serves as the interface between the device's hardware and the operating system, making any compromise of this layer potentially devastating to overall device security. The vulnerability's classification as requiring baseband firmware compromise indicates that it operates at a privilege level that is typically restricted to trusted system components. This characteristic places the vulnerability in the context of ATT&CK technique T1547.001 for registry run keys and startup folder, as the exploitation chain likely involves establishing persistence within the firmware environment. The absence of user interaction requirements makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited automatically without requiring any form of social engineering or user deception tactics. Network-based exploitation becomes possible since the vulnerability exists within network processing components that handle incoming emergency call indicators, potentially allowing attackers to remotely trigger the memory access violation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-35652 should focus on implementing comprehensive bounds checking mechanisms within the protocolcalladapter.cpp source file, particularly within the ProtocolEmergencyCallListIndAdapter::Init function. Security patches must address the missing validation checks that allow array indices to exceed their allocated memory boundaries, ensuring that all memory access operations are properly validated against array limits. Organizations should implement firmware update policies that prioritize baseband security patches, as these components are critical to device communication integrity. Additionally, network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect anomalous emergency call list indicator patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's nature suggests that defensive measures should include runtime memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries and address space layout randomization to make exploitation more difficult. Security teams should also consider implementing device integrity monitoring to detect unauthorized firmware modifications that could enable exploitation of this vulnerability. Regular security assessments of baseband firmware components should be conducted to identify similar bounds checking flaws that could present analogous security risks to the overall device security posture.