CVE-2023-38441 in SC7731E
Summary
by MITRE • 09/04/2023
In vowifiservice, there is a possible missing permission check.This could lead to local information disclosure with no additional execution privileges
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/30/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-38441 resides within the vowifiservice component, representing a critical oversight in permission validation mechanisms. This issue manifests as a missing permission check that undermines the security posture of the affected system. The vulnerability specifically impacts the vowifiservice application, which typically handles wireless communication protocols and network management functions. The absence of proper authorization validation creates a pathway for unauthorized access to sensitive information within the system's local environment.
This technical flaw falls under the category of insufficient authorization checks as classified by CWE-862, where the system fails to properly verify that an operation is authorized before execution. The vulnerability operates at the service level where the vowifiservice process runs, potentially exposing system resources to information disclosure attacks. The flaw does not require additional execution privileges, making it particularly concerning as it can be exploited by any local user with basic system access. The missing permission check creates a scenario where unauthorized entities can retrieve sensitive data without proper authentication or authorization mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it represents a fundamental breakdown in the principle of least privilege. Attackers can leverage this weakness to access local system information that should be restricted to authorized processes or users. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality aspect of the CIA triad, potentially exposing network configuration details, wireless communication parameters, or other sensitive operational data. Given that no additional execution privileges are required, the attack surface expands significantly, as even basic user accounts can exploit this flaw. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users share the same system or where privilege escalation is not a primary concern.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper permission validation within the vowifiservice component, ensuring that all operations are properly authenticated and authorized before execution. The fix should involve adding comprehensive access control checks that verify the identity and privileges of requesting processes. Security measures should align with the principle of least privilege, ensuring that only authorized components can access sensitive system information. Organizations should conduct thorough code reviews and security assessments to identify similar permission check gaps in other system services. Additionally, implementing proper logging and monitoring mechanisms can help detect unauthorized access attempts to sensitive system resources, providing visibility into potential exploitation attempts.
The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust authorization controls in service-oriented architectures and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 for valid accounts and T1566.001 for credential access through network service scanning. The issue highlights the need for comprehensive security testing including authorization testing and privilege escalation validation. System administrators should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit potential exposure of vulnerable services. Regular security updates and patch management processes become critical to address such permission-related vulnerabilities in wireless service components. The incident underscores the necessity of adhering to security standards such as those outlined in NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 for proper access control implementation and management.