CVE-2023-21275 : What You Need to Know

This CVE record was published on August 14, 2023, by Google Android. It involves a vulnerability that allows bypassing factory reset protections in Android devices, potentially leading to a local escalation of privilege without requiring additional execution privileges.

Understanding CVE-2023-21275

This section will delve deeper into the details of CVE-2023-21275 and its impact on affected systems.

What is CVE-2023-21275?

CVE-2023-21275 involves a vulnerability present in the decideCancelProvisioningDialog of AdminIntegratedFlowPrepareActivity.java. This flaw enables an attacker to bypass factory reset protections, ultimately allowing for a local escalation of privilege. Importantly, this exploit does not require any user interaction, making it a significant security concern.

The Impact of CVE-2023-21275

The impact of this vulnerability lies in the potential for threat actors to gain unauthorized access by bypassing factory reset protections on Android devices. This could result in the escalation of privileges without the need for additional execution privileges, posing a serious security risk to affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-21275

In this section, we will explore the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism associated with CVE-2023-21275.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in decideCancelProvisioningDialog of AdminIntegratedFlowPrepareActivity.java allows malicious actors to exploit a logic error in the code, circumventing factory reset protections and enabling local privilege escalation. This loophole can be leveraged without requiring any user interaction, making it a critical security issue.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts Android devices running specific versions, including version 13, version 12L, and version 12. Users on these versions may be vulnerable to the exploit and should take immediate action to mitigate the risk.

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploitation of CVE-2023-21275 involves leveraging the logic error in decideCancelProvisioningDialog to bypass factory reset protections on affected Android devices. By doing so, threat actors can escalate privileges locally, posing a significant threat to device security.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-21275 and enhance overall security posture, it is crucial to implement effective mitigation strategies and preventive measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users and administrators should promptly apply security patches and updates provided by Google to address the vulnerability in question. By keeping devices up to date, the risk of exploitation can be significantly reduced.

Long-Term Security Practices

In the long term, practicing good security hygiene, such as exercising caution while downloading apps, avoiding suspicious links, and staying informed about security updates, can help mitigate the impact of potential vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-21275.

Patching and Updates

Regularly monitoring for security advisories and applying patches released by Google for Android devices is essential. Timely patching helps in closing security gaps and safeguarding systems against known vulnerabilities, including those exploited through CVE-2023-21275.