CVE-2023-42692 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 • 12/04/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-42692 resides within the wifi service component of Android operating systems, representing a critical permission check failure that enables local privilege escalation. This flaw exists in the underlying system service architecture where proper access controls have not been adequately enforced, allowing malicious applications or processes running with standard user privileges to potentially elevate their privileges to system level. The vulnerability specifically affects the wifi service implementation which handles network configuration and management functions, making it a prime target for attackers seeking elevated system access.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient permission validation within the wifi service subsystem. When applications attempt to interact with wifi service functionality, the system should verify that the requesting entity possesses appropriate authorization levels before granting access to sensitive operations. However, in this case, the permission checking mechanism fails to properly validate access requests, creating a pathway for unauthorized privilege elevation. This type of flaw typically falls under CWE-284 which categorizes improper access control vulnerabilities, specifically targeting inadequate permission checks that allow unauthorized access to system resources.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-42692 is significant as it requires no additional execution privileges for exploitation, meaning any local user or application with basic system access can potentially leverage this vulnerability. Attackers could use this weakness to gain system-level privileges without needing to perform complex exploitation techniques or additional reconnaissance. The vulnerability affects the core wifi service functionality which is integral to device operation, making it a persistent threat that remains active as long as the device is running. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which describes privilege escalation through local system exploits, and T1548.001 which covers abuse of system permissions for privilege escalation.
The implications extend beyond simple privilege escalation as this vulnerability could enable attackers to modify critical system configurations, access sensitive network data, or potentially install persistent backdoors. The wifi service typically operates with elevated privileges to manage network interfaces and configurations, and the missing permission check effectively removes the access control barrier that should protect these functions. Security researchers have noted that such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they often remain undetected for extended periods, providing attackers with persistent access to target systems. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in Android's security model where system services fail to properly enforce their access control boundaries, creating a potential attack vector that could compromise entire device ecosystems.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper permission validation within the wifi service component and ensuring that all system services enforce strict access controls. Android security updates typically address this class of vulnerability through patches that strengthen the permission checking mechanisms and ensure that all service interactions properly validate caller credentials. Organizations should prioritize applying security patches immediately upon release, as this vulnerability represents a high-risk threat that could be exploited by sophisticated attackers. The fix generally involves enhancing the permission validation logic within the wifi service to properly verify that only authorized processes can access sensitive functionality, thereby closing the gap that allows unauthorized privilege escalation.