CVE-2023-42738 in SC7731E
Summary
by MITRE • 12/04/2023
In telocom 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 • 12/23/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-42738 resides within the telocom service component, representing a critical authorization flaw that undermines the security posture of affected systems. This issue manifests as a missing permission check that allows unauthorized local users to escalate their privileges without requiring additional execution privileges or elevated access rights. The telocom service typically operates with elevated privileges to perform system-level functions, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it provides a direct pathway for privilege escalation attacks. The flaw exists in the service's access control mechanisms where proper authentication and authorization checks are either absent or improperly implemented, creating a security gap that malicious actors can exploit to gain higher-level system permissions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user permissions within the telocom service runtime environment. When the service processes requests or executes operations, it fails to properly verify whether the requesting user possesses the necessary authorization levels to perform specific actions. This missing permission check creates a condition where local users can manipulate service calls or exploit service interfaces to execute operations that should be restricted to privileged users only. The vulnerability operates at the system level where the service maintains elevated privileges for legitimate operations but does not enforce proper access controls when processing incoming requests from local users. This design flaw allows attackers to leverage the service's elevated privileges to perform actions that would normally require administrative or root-level access, effectively bypassing the standard security controls that protect against unauthorized privilege escalation.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-42738 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with a persistent foothold within affected systems. Once exploited, this vulnerability enables local users to execute commands with elevated privileges, potentially allowing them to modify system files, install malicious software, access sensitive data, or establish backdoors for continued access. The implications are particularly severe in environments where the telocom service runs with administrative privileges, as the escalation can lead to complete system compromise. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability operates without requiring additional execution privileges, meaning that even users with standard local access can exploit the flaw. The attack vector is relatively straightforward, involving manipulation of service interfaces or direct exploitation of the missing authorization checks, making it accessible to threat actors with basic technical knowledge. This characteristic transforms what could be a minor service flaw into a significant security risk that affects system integrity and confidentiality.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-42738 should focus on implementing proper access control mechanisms within the telocom service and ensuring that all service operations validate user permissions before executing privileged actions. System administrators should immediately apply available patches or updates from the service vendor to address the missing permission check vulnerability. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit local user access to systems running the affected service, reducing the attack surface. The remediation process involves strengthening the service's authorization framework to ensure that all operations requiring elevated privileges are properly validated against user credentials and access levels. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual service access patterns or unauthorized privilege escalation attempts. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 which addresses improper access control, and may map to ATT&CK technique T1068 for local privilege escalation. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments to identify other services with similar permission checking deficiencies and implement comprehensive access control policies across all system components. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper authorization implementation in system services and underscores the need for regular security reviews of privileged operations.