CVE-2023-21243 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE record was published on July 12, 2023, by Google Android. The vulnerability was discovered in Android versions 11, 12, 12L, and 13. It poses a risk of local denial of service due to a buffer overflow in the PasspointConfiguration.java file.

Understanding CVE-2023-21243

This section will delve deeper into the details of the CVE-2023-21243 vulnerability and its implications.

What is CVE-2023-21243?

The CVE-2023-21243 vulnerability exists in the PasspointConfiguration.java file in Android devices. It allows an attacker to inflate the size of a configuration file without any limits, potentially leading to a local denial of service attack. Importantly, this vulnerability does not require any additional execution privileges and relies on user interaction to be exploited.

The Impact of CVE-2023-21243

The impact of this vulnerability is significant as it can result in a denial of service condition on the affected Android devices. By leveraging the buffer overflow issue, an attacker can disrupt normal device operation, potentially causing inconvenience or harm to users.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-21243

In this section, we will look at the technical aspects of the CVE-2023-21243 vulnerability, including the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability lies in the validateForCommonR1andR2 function of PasspointConfiguration.java, allowing the inflation of configuration file size without limits, leading to a possible buffer overflow.

Affected Systems and Versions

Android versions 11, 12, 12L, and 13 are the systems affected by CVE-2023-21243, putting users of these versions at risk of a local denial of service attack.

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would need to interact with the device to trigger the buffer overflow in the PasspointConfiguration.java file, ultimately leading to a denial of service situation.

Mitigation and Prevention

Mitigating CVE-2023-21243 requires immediate action to prevent potential attacks and ensure the security of affected Android devices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to apply patches and updates provided by Google for the affected Android versions promptly. Additionally, refraining from interacting with unknown or suspicious files can help reduce the risk of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

To enhance long-term security, users should regularly update their devices, enable security features such as device encryption, and exercise caution while interacting with untrusted sources or files.

Patching and Updates

Google has likely released patches for CVE-2023-21243 in the form of security updates for Android versions 11, 12, 12L, and 13. Users should ensure their devices are updated to the latest software version to mitigate the vulnerability effectively.