CVE-2023-21173 : Security Advisory and Response

This article provides insights into CVE-2023-21173, focusing on its impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

Understanding CVE-2023-21173

CVE-2023-21173 is a vulnerability in Android that allows an attacker to learn about an admin user's network activities without the necessary permission check, potentially resulting in local information disclosure. This exploit does not require additional execution privileges or user interaction, making it a significant security concern.

What is CVE-2023-21173?

The vulnerability exists in multiple methods of DataUsageList.java within Android. It provides unauthorized access to sensitive network activity data of admin users, enabling potential information disclosure without adequate permission verification.

The Impact of CVE-2023-21173

Due to this vulnerability, threat actors can access crucial network activity information without proper authorization, leading to local information disclosure. This could result in privacy breaches, data leakage, and compromise of sensitive information.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-21173

This section delves into specific details related to CVE-2023-21173, including the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in DataUsageList.java allows attackers to bypass permission checks and access an admin user's network activities, leading to potential information disclosure. This unauthorized access poses a significant security risk.

Affected Systems and Versions

The impacted system is Android, specifically version 13 (Android-13). Users utilizing this version are vulnerable to exploitation, and immediate action is necessary to mitigate the risk of unauthorized access to network activity data.

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploit does not require user interaction or additional execution privileges. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain access to sensitive network activity information without the necessary permission checks in place.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard against CVE-2023-21173, users and administrators should take immediate steps to address the vulnerability and implement long-term security practices to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Android devices to the latest version to patch the vulnerability.
Implement access controls and permission checks to restrict unauthorized access to network activity data.
Monitor network activity for any unusual behavior that may indicate exploitation of the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch software to prevent known vulnerabilities from being exploited.
Conduct security audits and assessments to identify and address potential security gaps proactively.
Educate users on cybersecurity best practices to mitigate the risk of social engineering attacks and unauthorized access.

Patching and Updates

Google has released security updates to address CVE-2023-21173 in Android devices. Users should promptly install these patches to ensure their systems are protected from potential exploits associated with this vulnerability.