CVE-2023-21271 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE record was published by Google Android on August 14, 2023. It involves a vulnerability in Android versions 13, 12L, and 12 that could lead to local information disclosure without requiring additional execution privileges.

Understanding CVE-2023-21271

This section delves into the details of CVE-2023-21271 to provide a comprehensive understanding of the vulnerability.

What is CVE-2023-21271?

The vulnerability in parseInputs of ShimPreparedModel.cpp allows for a potential out-of-bounds read due to improper input validation. This flaw could result in local information disclosure with the exploitation not requiring user interaction.

The Impact of CVE-2023-21271

The impact of this vulnerability lies in the risk of local information disclosure, which could potentially expose sensitive data stored within the affected systems without the need for additional execution privileges.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-21271

To address the technical aspects of CVE-2023-21271, this section provides insights into the vulnerability, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the improper input validation in parseInputs of ShimPreparedModel.cpp, leading to an out-of-bounds read that could be exploited for local information disclosure.

Affected Systems and Versions

Android versions 13, 12L, and 12 are affected by CVE-2023-21271, potentially exposing devices running these versions to the risk of local information disclosure.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability allows threat actors to exploit the out-of-bounds read in parseInputs of ShimPreparedModel.cpp without requiring user interaction, posing a significant risk for local information disclosure.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the impact of CVE-2023-21271 and prevent potential exploitation, immediate steps, long-term security practices, and the importance of patching and updates are essential.

Immediate Steps to Take

Organizations and users should apply security patches provided by Google promptly to address the vulnerability and reduce the risk of local information disclosure on affected Android devices.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing robust security protocols, monitoring for unusual activities, and ensuring regular security audits can enhance the overall security posture and prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.

Patching and Updates

Regularly updating Android devices with the latest security patches and firmware releases is crucial to staying protected against known vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-21271. Keeping systems up to date can help prevent unauthorized access and data breaches.