CVE-2023-21280 : What You Need to Know

This CVE record for CVE-2023-21280 was published on August 14, 2023, by Google Android. It refers to a vulnerability found in the Android operating system that could lead to a denial of service attack due to resource exhaustion.

Understanding CVE-2023-21280

This section will delve into the specifics of CVE-2023-21280, including the nature of the vulnerability and its potential impact.

What is CVE-2023-21280?

CVE-2023-21280 involves a vulnerability discovered in the setMediaButtonBroadcastReceiver function of MediaSessionRecord.java in the Android operating system. This vulnerability could result in a permanent denial of service (DoS) attack due to resource exhaustion. Importantly, an attacker could exploit this vulnerability locally without requiring any additional execution privileges, and user interaction is not necessary for the attack to occur.

The Impact of CVE-2023-21280

The impact of this vulnerability is significant as it could allow malicious actors to perform a DoS attack on affected Android devices, leading to service disruptions and potential downtime for users. It underscores the importance of timely mitigation and patching to prevent exploitation.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-21280

In this section, we will explore the technical aspects of CVE-2023-21280, including the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in MediaSessionRecord.java's setMediaButtonBroadcastReceiver function could be exploited to exhaust resources, resulting in a persistent DoS condition on the affected Android devices. The potential for local exploitation without additional privileges makes this vulnerability particularly concerning.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts the following versions of the Android operating system:

Android 13
Android 12L
Android 12

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting CVE-2023-21280 involves triggering the vulnerability in the MediaSessionRecord.java file to induce resource exhaustion, thereby causing a denial of service condition on the affected Android devices.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-21280 and mitigate the potential risks associated with this vulnerability, users and organizations must take immediate steps to secure their systems and implement long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Implement security updates provided by Google for the affected Android versions.
Monitor for any unusual system behavior that could indicate a potential DoS attack.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch Android devices to ensure protection against known vulnerabilities.
Implement security best practices to prevent and detect DoS attacks on the network.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and patches released by Google for the Android operating system. Timely application of patches can help safeguard devices against CVE-2023-21280 and other security threats.