CVE-2023-42695 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-2023-42695 resides within the wifi service component of Android operating systems, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the system's permission model. This issue manifests as a missing permission check that allows unauthorized local processes to escalate their privileges without requiring any additional execution capabilities or elevated permissions. The vulnerability specifically affects the wifi service implementation where proper access controls have not been adequately enforced, creating a pathway for malicious actors to gain higher privileges than intended.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability operates at the system level where the wifi service fails to validate whether incoming requests originate from authorized processes or users with appropriate permissions. The flaw typically occurs when the service accepts commands or data from local processes without performing proper authentication or authorization checks. This missing validation mechanism enables a local attacker to manipulate the wifi service through crafted requests that would normally be restricted to system-level processes or privileged applications. The vulnerability can be categorized under CWE-284 as an "Improper Access Control" issue, where the system fails to properly enforce access restrictions.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-42695 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive system functions and data that should remain protected. Once an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can potentially access network configuration settings, manipulate wifi connections, or gain access to other system resources that are normally restricted. This local privilege escalation can serve as a stepping stone for more extensive attacks, allowing threat actors to move laterally within the system or escalate to full system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires no additional execution privileges, meaning that even unprivileged processes can exploit this flaw to gain elevated access.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which describes "Local Privilege Escalation" and T1547.001 which covers "Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder." Attackers can leverage this flaw to establish persistent access or to gain the necessary privileges to execute further malicious activities. The vulnerability's impact is amplified when combined with other local exploits or when the system is running in environments where local access is more easily obtained. Security researchers have noted that such missing permission checks often occur in complex system services where access control logic is either incomplete or has been bypassed during development.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-42695 primarily involve applying the latest security patches and updates provided by the operating system vendor, which typically include proper permission validation mechanisms within the wifi service. Organizations should also implement comprehensive access control policies and regularly audit system services for potential privilege escalation vectors. Network administrators should ensure that only authorized processes can interact with the wifi service and that proper monitoring is in place to detect anomalous access patterns. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege configurations and regularly reviewing system permissions can help reduce the attack surface and limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities. The fix typically involves strengthening the permission checking logic within the wifi service to ensure that all incoming requests are properly authenticated before being processed.