CVE-2023-40092 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 12/05/2023
In verifyShortcutInfoPackage of ShortcutService.java, there is a possible way to see another user's image 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.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/24/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-40092 resides within the ShortcutService.java component of Android systems, specifically in the verifyShortcutInfoPackage method. This flaw represents a confused deputy problem where a malicious application can potentially access another user's image data through improper privilege handling. The vulnerability operates at the system level where user isolation mechanisms fail to properly enforce access controls between different user contexts. The issue stems from inadequate validation of package identifiers and user permissions during shortcut verification processes, creating an avenue for unauthorized data access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a privilege escalation scenario where a malicious application can manipulate the shortcut verification process to access resources belonging to different user accounts. The confused deputy attack pattern manifests when the system incorrectly delegates authority from one user context to another, allowing unauthorized access to image data stored in user-specific directories. This represents a direct violation of Android's multi-user security model and demonstrates a failure in proper access control enforcement mechanisms.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability enables local information disclosure without requiring any additional execution privileges or user interaction for exploitation. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it operates silently in the background, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive image data without triggering any user prompts or requiring elevated permissions. The impact extends beyond simple data exposure as image files often contain sensitive personal information, metadata, or proprietary content that could be leveraged for further attacks. This vulnerability affects the fundamental security assumptions of Android's multi-user environment and could potentially enable more sophisticated attacks if combined with other vulnerabilities.
The security implications of CVE-2023-40092 align with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and the attack pattern follows the confused deputy model described in MITRE ATT&CK framework under technique T1068. The vulnerability demonstrates a critical flaw in Android's system-level security architecture where proper user context isolation fails during shortcut verification processes. Organizations and users should consider this vulnerability as a potential indicator of broader security weaknesses in their Android environments. The lack of user interaction requirements for exploitation makes this particularly dangerous as it can be automated and executed without detection.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper access control validation within the shortcut verification process, ensuring that package identifiers are properly validated against the current user context, and enforcing strict user isolation during system-level operations. System updates and patches should address the root cause by strengthening the privilege validation mechanisms in ShortcutService.java. Additionally, monitoring for unauthorized access patterns and implementing proper logging of shortcut verification activities can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining robust security boundaries between user contexts and highlights the need for continuous security assessment of system-level components that handle user data access.