CVE-2023-40115 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 02/16/2024
In readLogs of StatsService.cpp, there is a possible memory corruption due to a use after free. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/13/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-40115 resides within the StatsService.cpp component of a system's logging infrastructure, specifically within the readLogs function. This flaw represents a classic use-after-free vulnerability that occurs when memory previously allocated to an object is accessed after it has been deallocated, creating opportunities for memory corruption. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can potentially enable local privilege escalation without requiring any additional execution privileges or user interaction for exploitation, making it a significant security risk.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management practices within the StatsService.cpp file where the readLogs function fails to properly track object lifetimes or validate memory references before accessing them. When the system processes log data through this function, it may attempt to access memory that has already been freed, leading to unpredictable behavior that can manifest as memory corruption. This type of flaw commonly occurs when developers do not properly implement reference counting, smart pointers, or other memory management techniques that prevent access to deallocated memory regions. The vulnerability is classified as a use-after-free condition under CWE-416, which specifically addresses the use of memory after it has been freed, and represents a critical weakness in memory safety that can be exploited by malicious actors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it enables local privilege escalation capabilities that can allow attackers with basic user-level access to elevate their privileges to system-level access. This escalation path represents a significant security compromise because it eliminates the need for additional attack vectors or user interaction, making exploitation particularly dangerous. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to sensitive system resources, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized data access. The vulnerability's accessibility without user interaction means that it can be exploited automatically by malicious code, further increasing the risk to affected systems and networks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-40115 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected system components to address the underlying memory management flaw in StatsService.cpp. Organizations should implement comprehensive code reviews and static analysis tools to identify similar use-after-free patterns throughout their codebase, particularly in memory-intensive components. The implementation of modern memory safety techniques such as address sanitizers, heap profilers, and automated memory management systems can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future. Additionally, system administrators should monitor for signs of exploitation attempts and maintain robust logging mechanisms to detect unauthorized privilege escalation activities. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques where adversaries can leverage memory corruption flaws to gain elevated system privileges, making it a critical target for both preventive and detective security controls.