CVE-2023-5081 in Tab M8 HD
Summary
by MITRE • 01/19/2024
An information disclosure vulnerability was reported in the Lenovo Tab M8 HD that could allow a local application to gather a non-resettable device identifier.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/17/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-5081 represents a significant information disclosure flaw within the Lenovo Tab M8 HD tablet device. This security weakness resides in the device's handling of device identifiers and allows local applications to access non-resettable identification data that should remain protected. The issue stems from insufficient access controls and improper isolation mechanisms within the device's operating system framework, creating an avenue for unauthorized data extraction by malicious applications installed on the same device. The vulnerability affects the Android-based operating system implementation used by Lenovo in this particular tablet model, highlighting the ongoing challenges in mobile device security where local privilege escalation opportunities can lead to broader privacy and tracking concerns.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the device's identifier management system where certain hardware or software identifiers are exposed through improper API access or system call interfaces. These identifiers typically include unique device serial numbers, hardware identifiers, or other persistent tracking mechanisms that are normally protected from local application access. The vulnerability manifests when local applications can leverage system permissions or exploit weaknesses in the permission model to query and retrieve these non-resettable identifiers without proper authorization. This type of flaw falls under the category of information disclosure vulnerabilities and aligns with CWE-200 which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information to unauthorized actors. The technical mechanism often involves improper access control implementation where the device's security boundaries are not properly enforced for identifier-related system resources.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-5081 extends beyond simple privacy concerns to potentially enable sophisticated tracking and profiling activities by malicious applications. Once an attacker gains access to these persistent identifiers, they can correlate user activities across different applications and services, creating detailed behavioral profiles that compromise user anonymity and privacy. The non-resettable nature of these identifiers means that even if users attempt to clear their device data or reinstall the operating system, the tracking capability persists, creating long-term privacy risks. This vulnerability particularly affects mobile devices where user privacy is paramount, as it enables continuous tracking of device usage patterns and user preferences. The impact is compounded when considering that these identifiers can be used in conjunction with other tracking mechanisms to create comprehensive user profiles for advertising, surveillance, or malicious purposes, directly violating user expectations of device privacy and security.
Organizations and users should implement immediate mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability by ensuring proper application sandboxing and access control enforcement. System administrators should conduct thorough security assessments of affected devices and consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized applications from accessing sensitive system resources. Device manufacturers should provide security patches and firmware updates that properly isolate identifier information and enforce stricter access controls. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper secure coding practices and the need for comprehensive security testing of mobile operating system components. Additionally, users should maintain awareness of application permissions and regularly audit installed applications for suspicious behavior. This vulnerability highlights the need for adherence to security frameworks such as the OWASP Mobile Security Project guidelines and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, as malicious applications may leverage these identifiers for persistence and tracking activities. The remediation process should include both immediate patch deployment and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar vulnerabilities in future device implementations.