CVE-2023-38464 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
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/02/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-38464 resides within the vowifiservice component, representing a critical weakness in Android's permission model that could enable local privilege escalation. This flaw manifests as a missing permission check that allows unauthorized processes to execute privileged operations without proper authorization. The vulnerability specifically affects the wireless communication service functionality and operates at the system level where proper access controls should be enforced. The absence of adequate permission validation creates a pathway for malicious applications or processes running with standard user privileges to escalate their access level and gain elevated system permissions.
This vulnerability operates under the principle of privilege escalation by exploiting insufficient access control mechanisms within the wireless service framework. The flaw represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates a failure in the Android security model's enforcement of proper authorization checks. When a service fails to validate whether the calling process has appropriate permissions before executing sensitive operations, it creates an attack surface that adversaries can leverage. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires no additional execution privileges beyond what is already available to a standard application, making it accessible to attackers who may have already compromised a device or gained user-level access.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-38464 extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it fundamentally undermines the security boundaries within Android's wireless communication subsystem. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially gain full control over wireless service operations, including access to sensitive network configurations, device communication settings, and potentially other system components that rely on the wireless service framework. This could enable persistent access to network resources, data exfiltration capabilities, and the ability to manipulate wireless communication protocols that are critical to device functionality and security. The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with attack patterns described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting system service manipulation and access token manipulation.
From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability violates key security standards including those outlined in the Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) catalog, specifically CWE-284 which addresses improper access control and CWE-732 which covers incorrect permission assignment. The flaw demonstrates a failure in implementing proper access control mechanisms that should be enforced at the system service level. Organizations implementing Android-based solutions must address this vulnerability through immediate patching procedures and security configuration reviews. The recommended mitigation strategies include applying the latest security patches from the device manufacturer, implementing proper application sandboxing, and conducting regular security audits of system services to ensure adequate permission checking mechanisms are in place. Additionally, security teams should monitor for any suspicious activities related to wireless service operations and implement network-based detection measures to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining robust access control mechanisms within mobile operating systems and the potential consequences when these controls fail to properly enforce security boundaries.