CVE-2023-42696 in SC7731E
Summary
by MITRE • 12/04/2023
In telecom 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-2023-42696 represents a critical permission check failure within telecom service implementations that enables local privilege escalation without requiring additional execution privileges. This flaw exists in the core service architecture where proper access control mechanisms are either absent or improperly enforced, creating a pathway for malicious actors to elevate their privileges from standard user level to administrative or system level access. The vulnerability specifically impacts telecom service environments where multiple processes or services operate with varying permission levels, and the missing authorization check allows unauthorized code execution with elevated privileges. The issue manifests as a failure in the service's authorization framework to validate whether the requesting process or user has sufficient permissions to perform the requested operation, particularly when dealing with system-level functions or resources that should be restricted to privileged users only. This type of vulnerability directly violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and mandatory access controls that are essential for maintaining system integrity in telecommunications infrastructure.
The technical implementation flaw stems from inadequate validation of user permissions within the telecom service daemon or system component that handles sensitive operations. When legitimate service requests are processed, the system fails to perform proper authorization checks before executing privileged functions, allowing any local user to potentially invoke operations that should be restricted to system administrators or specific service accounts. This missing permission validation creates a persistent security gap where unauthorized code execution can occur without the need for additional privileges or exploitation techniques. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in telecom environments where services often run with elevated privileges to manage network functions, handle signaling protocols, or access sensitive communication data. The flaw typically exists in the service's API implementation or command processing logic where access control decisions are not properly enforced, creating an attack surface that can be exploited through local process manipulation or service invocation. This represents a classic case of insufficient authorization checks that aligns with CWE-284 which specifically addresses improper access control mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-42696 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to potentially compromise entire telecom infrastructure systems. Once an attacker achieves local privilege escalation, they can access sensitive communication data, modify network configurations, intercept communications, or manipulate service delivery functions that could affect thousands of users or network operations. The vulnerability creates persistent access that can be maintained across system reboots or service restarts, allowing for long-term compromise of the telecom service environment. In multi-tenant or shared infrastructure environments, this could enable attackers to access data or services belonging to other users or customers, violating data privacy and service isolation principles. The attack vector requires minimal privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by any local user, including potentially compromised user accounts or unprivileged processes. The impact is further amplified in telecom environments where services often operate with broad system access and where privilege escalation can lead to complete system compromise or denial of service conditions that affect critical infrastructure operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-42696 must address the fundamental authorization failure by implementing proper access control checks throughout the service architecture. The primary solution involves adding comprehensive permission validation mechanisms that ensure all service requests are properly authenticated and authorized before executing privileged operations. This includes implementing mandatory access controls, enforcing least privilege principles, and ensuring that all system calls or administrative functions require explicit authorization checks. Organizations should deploy regular security updates and patches provided by vendors to address the specific authorization bypass issue. System administrators should conduct thorough access control reviews to identify and remediate similar permission check failures across other telecom services and applications. The implementation should follow established security frameworks and principles such as those outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and ISO/IEC 27001 standards for access control management. Additionally, monitoring and logging mechanisms should be enhanced to detect unauthorized privilege escalation attempts and provide audit trails for security incident response. Security teams should also implement network segmentation and service isolation to limit the potential impact of privilege escalation exploits. The remediation approach should include code reviews focusing on authorization logic, automated security testing, and continuous monitoring for similar permission-related vulnerabilities across the telecom service ecosystem.