CVE-2023-21177 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This CVE was published on June 28, 2023, by Google Android, highlighting a vulnerability in Android devices that could potentially lead to local information disclosure without requiring any additional execution privileges.

Understanding CVE-2023-21177

This section explores what CVE-2023-21177 entails, its impact, technical details, and how to mitigate and prevent potential risks associated with this vulnerability.

What is CVE-2023-21177?

CVE-2023-21177 specifically refers to a flaw in the

requestAppKeyboardShortcuts

function of

WindowManagerService.java

. This vulnerability allows threat actors to deduce the application a user is interacting with since there is a missing permission check. Exploiting this vulnerability could result in local information disclosure, all without needing extra execution privileges.

The Impact of CVE-2023-21177

The impact of this vulnerability is significant as it opens up the possibility of a malicious actor accessing sensitive information about the user's activity on the affected Android device. This information disclosure can have serious consequences for user privacy and data security.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-21177

Let's delve into the technical aspects of CVE-2023-21177, including the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability lies in the

requestAppKeyboardShortcuts

function of

WindowManagerService.java

, where the absence of a permission check enables an attacker to infer the specific app a user is interacting with, leading to potential local information disclosure.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects the following systems and versions:

Vendor: n/a
Product: Android
Versions: Android-13

Exploitation Mechanism

By exploiting the missing permission check in the

requestAppKeyboardShortcuts

function, threat actors can determine the user's interaction with a specific app on Android devices, potentially exposing sensitive local information.

Mitigation and Prevention

Understanding how to mitigate and prevent CVE-2023-21177 is crucial to ensure the security of Android devices and protect user information from unauthorized access and disclosure.

Immediate Steps to Take

It is recommended to apply security patches promptly to address the vulnerability and prevent exploitation by malicious entities.
Users should exercise caution while interacting with untrusted applications or sources to minimize the risk of information disclosure.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing robust security measures, such as regular security audits, access controls, and user permission checks, can enhance the overall security posture of Android devices and mitigate potential vulnerabilities effectively.

Patching and Updates

Users and administrators are advised to keep their Android devices up to date with the latest security patches and updates provided by the official sources to address known vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-21177 and strengthen the overall security of the system.