CVE-2023-42674 in SC7731E
Summary
by MITRE • 12/04/2023
In imsservice, there is a possible way to write permission usage records of an app due to a missing permission check. This could lead to local information disclosure with no additional execution privileges needed
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/22/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-42674 resides within the imsservice component, which appears to be part of a mobile operating system or application framework responsible for managing system services and permissions. This flaw represents a critical permission bypass issue that allows unauthorized applications to write permission usage records without proper authorization checks. The vulnerability stems from an insufficient validation mechanism that fails to verify whether the requesting application has legitimate authority to modify permission usage logs, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate system records.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a missing permission check within the imsservice functionality that governs how permission usage data is recorded and maintained. When an application attempts to write to permission usage records, the system should validate that the calling process possesses the appropriate privileges to perform such operations. However, due to inadequate access control enforcement, any application can potentially write to these records without proper authentication or authorization verification. This design flaw falls under the category of insufficient permission checks as classified by CWE-284, which specifically addresses improper access control mechanisms that allow unauthorized entities to perform privileged operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate system logs and potentially obscure malicious activities. An attacker could exploit this weakness to write false permission usage records, making it appear that unauthorized applications have legitimate access to system resources or that authorized applications have performed actions they have not actually executed. This capability enables sophisticated evasion techniques that could bypass security monitoring systems that rely on accurate permission usage tracking. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires no additional execution privileges, meaning that any application with basic runtime access could exploit this flaw to manipulate system records.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1070.006, which involves the manipulation of application logs to hide malicious activities. The absence of proper permission validation creates a persistent threat vector that could be leveraged for maintaining persistence within a system or for covering tracks during adversarial operations. The exploitation of this vulnerability could result in compromised audit trails that make it difficult for security analysts to accurately assess system behavior and identify potential threats. Organizations relying on permission usage records for compliance monitoring or security incident response may find their investigative capabilities significantly weakened by this vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing robust permission validation mechanisms within the imsservice component, ensuring that all write operations to permission usage records require proper authorization checks. The fix should involve adding explicit permission verification before allowing any application to modify usage records, potentially requiring specific system-level permissions or digital signatures to validate legitimate write operations. Additionally, implementing proper logging of all permission record modifications would provide visibility into potential exploitation attempts and help detect unauthorized access patterns. System administrators should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous permission usage record modifications that may indicate exploitation of this vulnerability, as the lack of proper access controls makes such manipulations difficult to detect through conventional means.