CVE-2023-21196 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This article provides insights into CVE-2023-21196, a vulnerability identified in the Android operating system that could potentially lead to local information disclosure in the Bluetooth server.

Understanding CVE-2023-21196

CVE-2023-21196 is a vulnerability found in the btm_ble_batchscan_filter_track_adv_vse_cback function of btm_ble_batchscan.cc in the Android operating system. This vulnerability may result in an out-of-bounds read due to a missing bounds check, potentially leading to local information disclosure in the Bluetooth server. The exploitation of this vulnerability requires system execution privileges, and user interaction is not necessary for exploitation.

What is CVE-2023-21196?

CVE-2023-21196 is classified as an information disclosure vulnerability within the Android operating system. This flaw could be exploited by an attacker to access sensitive information without authorization.

The Impact of CVE-2023-21196

The impact of CVE-2023-21196 could potentially lead to local information disclosure within the Bluetooth server of affected Android devices. This could expose sensitive data to malicious actors without the need for user interaction.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-21196

The technical details of CVE-2023-21196 revolve around the nature of the vulnerability, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in btm_ble_batchscan_filter_track_adv_vse_cback of btm_ble_batchscan.cc leads to an out-of-bounds read, allowing for potential local information disclosure within the Bluetooth server.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected system is Android, specifically version Android-13. Devices running on Android-13 are susceptible to this vulnerability, having been marked as "affected."

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit CVE-2023-21196, an attacker would require system execution privileges on the target device. By leveraging the missing bounds check in the Bluetooth server, the attacker can perform an out-of-bounds read, leading to local information disclosure.

Mitigation and Prevention

Addressing CVE-2023-21196 requires immediate steps to mitigate the risk, establish long-term security practices, and apply necessary patches and updates to affected systems.

Immediate Steps to Take

For immediate mitigation, users and administrators should monitor official security bulletins and apply any provided patches or workarounds to safeguard their Android-13 devices against potential exploitation of CVE-2023-21196.

Long-Term Security Practices

To enhance overall security posture, it is advisable to follow best security practices such as regular security updates, restricting unnecessary system privileges, and maintaining a proactive approach to system monitoring and incident response.

Patching and Updates

Patching plays a crucial role in addressing vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-21196. Users should ensure that their Android-13 devices are updated with the latest security patches from the official vendor to mitigate the risk of local information disclosure through the Bluetooth server.