CVE-2023-21117 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This CVE record details a security vulnerability in Android that could potentially allow isolated processes to register a broadcast receiver, leading to local privilege escalation without requiring additional execution privileges.

Understanding CVE-2023-21117

This section provides an overview of the CVE-2023-21117 vulnerability, its impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-21117?

CVE-2023-21117 specifically affects the Android operating system, allowing isolated processes to register a broadcast receiver through a permissions bypass. This vulnerability could be exploited for local privilege escalation without the need for user interaction.

The Impact of CVE-2023-21117

The impact of CVE-2023-21117 is significant as it could potentially allow malicious actors to escalate their privileges within the system without needing additional execution privileges. This could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data or the ability to perform malicious actions on the affected device.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-21117

This section delves into the technical aspects of the CVE-2023-21117 vulnerability, including vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability exists in the

registerReceiverWithFeature

function of

ActivityManagerService.java

, allowing isolated processes to register a broadcast receiver by bypassing permissions. This loophole enables the escalation of privileges locally on the Android system.

Affected Systems and Versions

The CVE-2023-21117 vulnerability impacts the Android operating system specifically version Android-13. Systems running this version are considered affected by this security flaw.

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploitation of CVE-2023-21117 involves leveraging the permissions bypass in the

registerReceiverWithFeature

function to enable isolated processes to register a broadcast receiver. This ultimately leads to the potential escalation of privileges within the Android system.

Mitigation and Prevention

In light of CVE-2023-21117, it is crucial to implement immediate steps to mitigate the risk posed by this security vulnerability and establish long-term security practices to prevent similar issues in the future.

Immediate Steps to Take

Security teams and users should apply any available patches or updates provided by the Android platform to address the CVE-2023-21117 vulnerability promptly.
Implement strict access controls and permissions management to limit the ability of isolated processes to register broadcast receivers and escalate privileges.

Long-Term Security Practices

Conduct regular security assessments and audits to identify and address potential vulnerabilities within the system proactively.
Keep systems up to date with the latest security patches and software updates to mitigate the risk of exploitation by malicious actors.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and bulletins released by Android to remain aware of patches and updates addressing CVE-2023-21117.
Prioritize the timely implementation of patches and updates to ensure the security and integrity of Android devices.