CVE-2023-38449 in SC7731E
Summary
by MITRE • 09/04/2023
In vowifiservice, there is a possible missing permission check.This could lead to local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/30/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-38449 resides within the vowifiservice component, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the principle of least privilege and potentially enables local privilege escalation. This issue manifests as a missing permission check that allows unauthorized local processes to execute privileged operations without proper authorization. The vulnerability specifically affects systems where the vowifiservice operates with elevated privileges, creating an attack surface that malicious actors can exploit to gain higher-level system access. The absence of proper permission validation within this service creates a pathway for local users to escalate their privileges to the level of the service itself, which typically operates with administrative or root-level permissions.
From a technical perspective, the missing permission check represents a fundamental breakdown in access control mechanisms that should be enforced by the operating system's security model. The vowifiservice likely handles sensitive operations or system-level functions that require proper authentication and authorization before execution. When this permission verification is absent or bypassed, it creates a direct vector for privilege escalation attacks. This type of vulnerability commonly falls under the CWE-284 access control weakness category, specifically addressing inadequate permission checks that allow unauthorized access to protected resources or operations. The vulnerability's impact is amplified when the service runs with elevated privileges, as any local user can potentially exploit this flaw to execute commands with higher privileges than intended.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-38449 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it fundamentally compromises the security posture of affected systems. Local attackers who can interact with the vowifiservice can potentially execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, leading to complete system compromise. This vulnerability may enable attackers to install persistent backdoors, modify critical system files, access sensitive data, or establish covert communication channels. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it requires no additional execution privileges beyond basic local access, making it accessible to users who may not have elevated permissions initially. The vulnerability's exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation tactics, specifically targeting techniques that involve leveraging service vulnerabilities or missing permission checks to gain elevated system access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper permission checks and access controls within the vowifiservice component. System administrators should immediately review and update the service's security configuration to ensure that all operations require proper authentication and authorization before execution. The recommended approach involves implementing mandatory access controls, enforcing proper user privilege separation, and ensuring that the service operates with the minimum necessary privileges required for its functionality. Additionally, regular security audits should be conducted to identify and remediate similar permission check gaps in other system services. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect unauthorized access attempts to privileged services, providing early warning of potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper software security design practices and the necessity of comprehensive security testing, particularly for services that operate with elevated privileges and handle sensitive system operations.