CVE-2023-35680 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 09/12/2023
In multiple locations, there is a possible way to import contacts belonging to other users due to a confused deputy. This could lead to local information disclosure with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-35680 represents a critical confused deputy problem that exists across multiple system components within a software application. This flaw stems from improper authorization checks during contact import operations, where the system fails to adequately verify user permissions when processing contact data. The confused deputy scenario occurs when a system component mistakenly acts on behalf of an unauthorized user, effectively allowing one user to access or manipulate data belonging to another user through a legitimate system function.
This vulnerability manifests specifically during contact import processes where the application does not properly validate that the importing user has legitimate authorization to access the target contact data. The technical implementation flaw lies in the lack of proper access control enforcement mechanisms that should verify user identity and permissions before allowing data import operations to proceed. The system's failure to implement robust authorization checks creates an avenue for privilege escalation through data manipulation rather than code execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-35680 is significant as it enables local information disclosure without requiring any additional execution privileges or user interaction for exploitation. This means that an attacker with access to the system can directly read contact information belonging to other users without needing to escalate privileges or perform complex attacks. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality aspect of the security triad by allowing unauthorized data access and could potentially lead to further reconnaissance activities or social engineering attacks based on the collected contact information.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability maps to CWE-285 (Improper Authorization) and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 (Valid Accounts) as it leverages legitimate user accounts to access unauthorized data. The lack of user interaction requirement makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited automatically without manual intervention. The attack surface is broad since the issue affects multiple locations within the system, suggesting a systemic authorization flaw rather than an isolated incident. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including strengthening access controls, implementing proper authorization checks, and conducting comprehensive audits of all data import and export functions. Additionally, regular security testing and code reviews should be performed to identify similar confused deputy scenarios that could exist in other system components.
The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental breakdown in the principle of least privilege where system components do not properly verify user identities before processing sensitive operations. This type of flaw often indicates deeper architectural issues in how the application handles user sessions and permissions, requiring comprehensive security architecture reviews. The absence of user interaction requirements means that automated exploitation is possible, making this vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to maximize their impact with minimal effort. Organizations should also consider implementing logging and monitoring for contact import operations to detect unauthorized access attempts and establish proper incident response procedures for such security events.