CVE-2023-42545 in Phone
Summary
by MITRE • 11/07/2023
Use of implicit intent for sensitive communication vulnerability in Phone prior to versions 12.7.20.12 in Android 11, 13.1.48, 13.5.28 in Android 12, and 14.7.38 in Android 13 allows attackers to access location data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/03/2023
This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in the Android operating system's handling of inter-process communication mechanisms, specifically affecting the Phone application prior to version 12.7.20.12 in Android 11, 13.1.48 in Android 12, 13.5.28 in Android 12, and 14.7.38 in Android 13. The issue stems from the improper use of implicit intents for sensitive data transmission, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the communication channels used by the phone application to access location information. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-692 weakness category, which encompasses improper handling of implicit intent communication patterns that can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it allows attackers to intercept location data through the use of implicit intent mechanisms that should have been restricted to authorized components only. The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple location tracking, as it represents a fundamental flaw in the Android security model's application of intent-based communication. When an application uses implicit intents for sensitive operations, it creates an attack surface where malicious applications can register themselves to receive these intents, effectively bypassing the intended security boundaries. The Phone application's reliance on implicit intents for location-sensitive communication creates a scenario where unauthorized third-party applications can potentially intercept and access location data through the system's intent resolution mechanism. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which involves the use of scripting languages to execute malicious code, as attackers can leverage the implicit intent system to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. The flaw demonstrates how improper intent handling can create persistent security weaknesses that remain undetected for extended periods, particularly in system applications that handle sensitive user data. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges and can be accomplished through standard Android application installation and intent registration processes, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may unknowingly install malicious applications. This represents a significant failure in the Android security architecture's enforcement of intent-based access controls, where implicit intents should have been restricted to explicit, authorized components only. The issue highlights the importance of proper intent security practices and the need for robust application sandboxing mechanisms that prevent unauthorized access to sensitive communication channels. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems and implement additional monitoring for unauthorized intent registration activities. The vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly minor implementation flaws in core system components can create substantial security risks, particularly when dealing with sensitive user data such as location information that can be used for various malicious purposes including tracking, surveillance, and identity theft.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the Phone application's use of implicit intents to communicate location-sensitive data without proper security restrictions. When an application sends an implicit intent, the Android system resolves the intent by matching the intent filter declared by other applications installed on the device. In this case, the Phone application's improper use of implicit intents for location data transmission creates a scenario where any application can register to receive these specific intents, thereby gaining unauthorized access to location information. This flaw occurs because the system should have used explicit intents or implemented proper permission checking mechanisms before allowing sensitive data to be transmitted through intent communication channels. The vulnerability specifically affects versions of Android prior to the mentioned patched releases, indicating that the security model's intent handling was not properly enforced in these earlier versions. The implementation error likely occurred during the design phase where developers assumed that implicit intents would be properly restricted, but failed to implement the necessary access control mechanisms that would prevent unauthorized applications from receiving these sensitive communications. This represents a classic example of how security controls can be bypassed through improper implementation of fundamental system components. The vulnerability also demonstrates the complexity of Android's intent resolution system and how it can be exploited when proper security boundaries are not maintained between different application components. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it does not require root access or special privileges, making it accessible to any application that can register intent filters in the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple threat scenarios, including persistent location tracking, unauthorized surveillance, and potential identity theft operations. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to monitor user movements, create detailed behavioral profiles, and potentially identify sensitive locations such as homes, workplaces, or other personal areas. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple Android versions indicates a systemic issue in how implicit intent security was implemented across different system releases, suggesting that the fix may have required changes to core system components rather than simple application-level modifications. This vulnerability also has implications for enterprise environments where mobile device management policies may not adequately address intent-based security flaws, potentially exposing corporate networks to location-based attacks. The threat landscape is particularly concerning because the vulnerability can be exploited through standard application installation processes, meaning that users may unknowingly install malicious applications that can then access their location data through the implicit intent mechanism. Security researchers have noted that this type of vulnerability often goes undetected for extended periods because it operates within normal system behavior patterns, making it difficult to distinguish between legitimate and malicious intent-based communication. The vulnerability's impact is further amplified by the fact that location data is often collected and processed by multiple applications, creating a network effect where a single compromised application can potentially access location data from numerous sources. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring solutions that can detect unauthorized intent registration patterns and establish proper security boundaries around sensitive communication channels. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices and the need for regular security reviews of intent-based communication systems to prevent similar issues from occurring in other applications. This vulnerability serves as a reminder that even fundamental system components can contain security flaws that can be exploited to access sensitive user information, requiring continuous vigilance and proactive security measures to protect against such threats.