CVE-2023-42688 in SC7731E
Summary
by MITRE • 12/04/2023
In wifi service, there is a possible missing permission check. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-42688 resides within the wifi service component of Android operating systems, representing a critical permission enforcement flaw that enables local privilege escalation. This issue stems from inadequate access control mechanisms within the wifi service implementation, where proper permission validation is either absent or insufficiently enforced. The vulnerability falls under the category of missing permission checks as defined by CWE-284, which specifically addresses inadequate access control due to improper permission verification in software systems. The flaw allows malicious applications or processes running with standard user privileges to exploit this weakness and elevate their privileges to system-level access without requiring any additional execution privileges or elevated permissions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of wifi service APIs or interfaces that should normally be restricted to system-level components or privileged processes. Attackers can leverage this missing permission check to gain unauthorized access to sensitive system resources, potentially enabling them to modify network configurations, access protected data, or even execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The operational impact of this vulnerability is particularly severe as it undermines the fundamental security model of Android systems, where proper privilege separation is essential for maintaining system integrity and preventing unauthorized access to critical functions. This type of local privilege escalation vulnerability is classified under the ATT&CK technique T1068, which encompasses privilege escalation through the exploitation of software vulnerabilities.
The implications of CVE-2023-42688 extend beyond simple privilege elevation, as it represents a breakdown in the security architecture that could potentially allow attackers to establish persistent access to affected devices. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires no additional execution privileges, meaning that even standard applications with minimal permissions can exploit this flaw to gain system-level control. This characteristic makes the vulnerability highly attractive to threat actors who may be able to deliver malicious payloads through seemingly benign applications or through supply chain attacks. The lack of additional privilege requirements also means that the vulnerability can be exploited in environments where traditional privilege escalation techniques may be blocked or monitored by security controls.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper permission validation mechanisms within the wifi service component, ensuring that all API calls and service interactions are properly authenticated and authorized. System administrators and device manufacturers should prioritize applying security patches and updates that address the missing permission checks in wifi service implementations. Additionally, runtime monitoring solutions can be deployed to detect anomalous behavior patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts of this vulnerability. The fix typically involves strengthening access control lists and ensuring that only properly authenticated system components can interact with sensitive wifi service functions. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts to wifi service interfaces, as these measures can provide additional layers of defense against exploitation attempts.