Google Android 11.0/12.0/13.0 PackageInstallerService.java access control

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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6.4$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability categorized as critical has been discovered in Google Android 11.0/12.0/13.0. The affected element is an unknown function of the file PackageInstallerService.java. Such manipulation leads to access control. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2023-21081. Local access is required to approach this attack. No exploit exists. It is advisable to implement a patch to correct this issue.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Google Android 11.0/12.0/13.0 (Smartphone Operating System). Affected by this issue is an unknown functionality of the file PackageInstallerService.java. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a access control vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-284. The product does not restrict or incorrectly restricts access to a resource from an unauthorized actor. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

In multiple functions of PackageInstallerService.java and related files, there is a possible way to bypass background activity launch restrictions due to a logic error in the code. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-11 Android-12 Android-12L Android-13Android ID: A-230492955

The weakness was disclosed 04/20/2023 as A-230492955. The advisory is shared for download at source.android.com. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2023-21081 since 11/03/2022. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available. The current price for an exploit might be approx. USD $0-$5k (estimation calculated on 09/04/2025). It is expected to see the exploit prices for this product increasing in the near future.The MITRE ATT&CK project declares the attack technique as T1068.

Applying a patch is able to eliminate this problem.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2023-0841). Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

Affected

  • Samsung Exynos
  • Samsung Android

Productinfo

Type

Vendor

Name

Version

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 6.5
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.4

VulDB Base Score: 5.3
VulDB Temp Score: 5.1
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 7.8
NVD Vector: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Access control
CWE: CWE-284 / CWE-266
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: No

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Patch
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Timelineinfo

11/03/2022 🔍
04/20/2023 +167 days 🔍
04/20/2023 +0 days 🔍
09/04/2025 +867 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: google.com

Advisory: A-230492955
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2023-21081 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2023-21081
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-226892
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2023-0841 - Samsung Android und Samsung Exynos: Mehrere Schwachstellen

scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20150917

Entryinfo

Created: 04/20/2023 07:47
Updated: 09/04/2025 00:31
Changes: 04/20/2023 07:47 (42), 02/05/2025 22:17 (26), 09/04/2025 00:31 (7)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

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