CVE-2023-42748 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 • 12/23/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-42748 represents a critical security flaw within telecommunications service implementations where a missing permission check has been discovered. This issue exists in the core service architecture that manages telecom operations and communications. The vulnerability stems from inadequate authorization controls that fail to properly validate user permissions before executing sensitive operations. When a local attacker gains access to the system, they can exploit this weakness to elevate their privileges without requiring additional execution privileges or elevated access rights. The flaw essentially creates a backdoor pathway that bypasses normal security controls, allowing unauthorized users to gain higher-level system access. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in telecom environments where system integrity and data protection are paramount due to the sensitive nature of communication services and user information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests as a failure in the permission validation mechanism within the telecom service framework. The system does not properly enforce access controls when processing specific operations, allowing local processes to perform actions that should be restricted to privileged users only. This missing permission check typically occurs during service initialization or when handling incoming communication requests. The flaw can be categorized under CWE-284 which specifically addresses improper access control and inadequate permission checking mechanisms. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by executing local commands that trigger the permission bypass, effectively escalating their privileges from standard user level to administrative or system level access. The exploitation requires minimal prerequisites since the attacker only needs local system access to the telecom service environment.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-42748 extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it creates a significant security risk for telecom infrastructure. Once escalated, attackers can potentially access sensitive communication data, modify service configurations, intercept user communications, or disrupt service availability. The vulnerability affects the fundamental security posture of telecom services, making it attractive to threat actors who may use it as a foothold for broader attacks. This type of local privilege escalation vulnerability can lead to data breaches, service disruption, and compliance violations that impact both service providers and end users. The implications are particularly severe in environments where telecom services handle confidential information including personal data, financial transactions, and critical infrastructure communications. Organizations may face regulatory penalties and loss of customer trust if such vulnerabilities are exploited successfully.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-42748 must focus on strengthening permission validation mechanisms within the telecom service architecture. System administrators should implement immediate patch updates from vendors to address the specific permission check deficiencies. Access control policies need to be reviewed and enhanced to ensure proper authorization enforcement at all service interaction points. The implementation of principle of least privilege should be enforced where services operate with minimal required permissions. Network segmentation and monitoring controls should be deployed to detect unauthorized privilege escalation attempts. Security audits should verify that all service operations properly validate user permissions before execution. Additionally, the ATT&CK framework suggests implementing process monitoring and behavioral analysis to detect anomalous privilege escalation activities. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar permission bypass vulnerabilities. Organizations should also establish incident response procedures specifically designed to handle local privilege escalation attacks targeting telecom services.