CVE-2023-42691 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 • 12/22/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-42691 resides within the wifi service component of Android operating systems, representing a critical permission bypass flaw that enables local privilege escalation. This issue affects the underlying security model of the wifi service by failing to properly validate access permissions before executing sensitive operations. The vulnerability stems from inadequate authorization checks within the service's code implementation, creating a pathway for malicious local processes to escalate their privileges without requiring any additional execution privileges or elevated permissions.
The technical flaw manifests as a missing permission check mechanism within the wifi service's access control implementation. When legitimate processes attempt to interact with wifi service functionalities, the system fails to verify whether the calling process possesses the appropriate privileges required for the requested operations. This missing validation occurs at the kernel level where wifi service components operate, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by any local application with basic execution rights. The flaw aligns with CWE-284 which describes improper access control vulnerabilities, specifically those involving insufficient permission checks in system services. This weakness creates a direct path for privilege escalation attacks as the service processes requests without proper authorization verification.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to potentially compromise the entire device security posture. An attacker with local access can exploit this flaw to gain elevated privileges and subsequently access sensitive system resources, modify wifi configurations, or potentially extract confidential data. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by its requirement for no additional execution privileges, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by any application running on the device. This local privilege escalation vector represents a significant threat to device integrity and user privacy, as it allows attackers to bypass the normal security boundaries that protect system resources. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that wifi service components are frequently accessed by various system processes and applications, increasing the likelihood of successful exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-42691 should focus on implementing comprehensive permission validation mechanisms within the wifi service code. System administrators and device manufacturers should prioritize applying security patches provided by Google and OEM vendors to address the missing permission checks. The recommended approach includes strengthening the access control model by implementing proper authorization verification before executing sensitive operations. Security teams should also consider deploying runtime monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous privilege escalation attempts and implement network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the importance of adhering to security best practices such as the principle of least privilege and regular security audits of system services. Organizations should also consider implementing mobile device management solutions that can enforce stricter security policies and monitor for suspicious activities related to wifi service access. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that permission checks are properly enforced without disrupting legitimate system functionality, as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation techniques that emphasize the importance of access control validation.