CVE-2023-35656 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
In multiple functions of protocolembmsadapter.cpp, there is a possible out of bounds read due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to remote information disclosure with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/11/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-35656 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within the protocolembmsadapter.cpp source file of a software system. This issue manifests across multiple functions where proper input validation and bounds checking mechanisms are absent, creating a pathway for malicious actors to access memory locations beyond the intended buffer boundaries. The flaw specifically affects the protocol handling component responsible for processing emBMS (Enhanced Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service) data streams, which are commonly used in broadcast multimedia applications and network communications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the absence of proper boundary validation when processing incoming data packets or configuration parameters. When the system processes protocol data units containing emBMS information, it fails to validate the length or structure of incoming data before attempting to read from memory locations. This missing bounds check creates a scenario where an attacker can craft malicious input that causes the application to read beyond allocated memory regions, potentially exposing sensitive data from adjacent memory locations. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically targets memory access patterns within the protocol adapter module, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited without requiring any user interaction or additional privileges beyond normal system access.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk for information disclosure attacks that could potentially expose sensitive system data, configuration parameters, or even cryptographic keys stored in adjacent memory locations. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can leverage this flaw from external network positions without requiring physical access or user engagement, making it particularly concerning for networked applications. The lack of additional execution privileges required for exploitation indicates that the vulnerability can be leveraged as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, potentially leading to full system compromise. This type of information disclosure vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of array indices, and represents a classic example of how insufficient bounds checking can lead to memory corruption issues.
The attack surface for this vulnerability extends across all systems utilizing the affected protocol adapter component, particularly those handling emBMS data streams or similar broadcast multimedia protocols. Security professionals should consider this flaw in the context of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically under the information gathering and credential access phases where adversaries seek to extract sensitive data from compromised systems. Organizations using affected software should prioritize immediate patching and implementation of network segmentation controls to limit potential exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and bounds checking in preventing memory corruption issues, and serves as a reminder of the need for comprehensive code review processes that include security testing for buffer management operations. Additionally, implementing proper memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and compiler-based bounds checking can provide additional defense-in-depth measures against similar vulnerabilities.