CVE-2023-35662 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
there is a possible out of bounds write due to buffer overflow. 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-2023-35662 represents a critical buffer overflow condition that manifests as an out-of-bounds write flaw within affected software systems. This type of vulnerability falls under the broader category of memory safety issues and is classified as a CWE-121 buffer overflow according to the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. The flaw occurs when a program attempts to write data beyond the allocated memory boundaries of a buffer, potentially corrupting adjacent memory locations and creating opportunities for malicious code injection. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by its remote exploitation capability, meaning attackers can leverage this flaw without requiring any user interaction or elevated privileges to achieve their objectives. This characteristic places the vulnerability in the ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 technique category, which encompasses remote code execution through software vulnerabilities.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow vulnerability typically involves a program reading input data and storing it in a fixed-size buffer without proper bounds checking mechanisms. When the input exceeds the buffer capacity, the excess data overflows into adjacent memory regions, potentially overwriting critical program variables, return addresses, or function pointers. The absence of user interaction requirements for exploitation indicates that the vulnerability can be triggered through network-based attacks, making it particularly dangerous for systems accessible over the internet. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that specifically target the buffer overflow condition, allowing them to manipulate program execution flow and potentially execute arbitrary code within the target system's context. The lack of privilege escalation requirements means that even unauthenticated attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to affected systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-35662 extends beyond simple data corruption, as it creates a pathway for complete system compromise through remote code execution. Organizations running vulnerable software may experience unauthorized access to sensitive data, system control, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that threat actors can target systems without physical access or user involvement, significantly expanding the attack surface. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK's T1190 technique for exploiting vulnerabilities in network services, where attackers can directly target exposed network ports and services. The vulnerability affects systems where the buffer overflow occurs in network-facing components, potentially impacting web servers, network appliances, or any software that processes external input without proper validation. The exploitability factor is further enhanced by the fact that no user interaction is required, making it a particularly dangerous vulnerability for widely accessible services and applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-35662 must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should prioritize applying vendor-provided patches and updates as soon as they become available, as these typically include fixes for the buffer overflow conditions that allow for proper bounds checking and memory management. System administrators should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable services to untrusted networks. The implementation of modern security practices including address space layout randomization, stack canaries, and non-executable stack protections can provide additional defense-in-depth measures against exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should include vulnerability scanning for buffer overflow conditions and other memory safety issues. Additionally, developers should adopt secure coding practices that emphasize input validation, bounds checking, and proper memory management to prevent similar issues in future software development cycles. The vulnerability underscores the importance of following secure software development lifecycle practices and adhering to industry standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks for preventing memory safety vulnerabilities.