CVE-2023-21373 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE record, assigned by Google Android, highlights a security vulnerability that could potentially lead to an elevation of privilege in Android devices.

Understanding CVE-2023-21373

This section delves into the details of CVE-2023-21373, exploring the nature of the vulnerability and its potential impact.

What is CVE-2023-21373?

CVE-2023-21373 is a vulnerability found in the Telephony component of Android devices. It involves a possible method for a guest user to modify the preferred SIM card without the necessary permission check. Exploiting this vulnerability could result in a local escalation of privilege without requiring additional execution privileges. Importantly, this exploit does not necessitate user interaction for it to be carried out.

The Impact of CVE-2023-21373

The impact of this vulnerability lies in the potential for unauthorized users to manipulate SIM card settings, leading to an elevation of privilege within the device. This could have serious implications for the device's security and the user's data privacy.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-21373

In this section, we will explore the technical aspects of CVE-2023-21373, including its vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Telephony allows a guest user to change the preferred SIM card without the necessary permission check. This loophole could be exploited to escalate privileges locally on the device.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected vendor is Google, and the impacted product is Android version 14. Devices running on Android 14 are susceptible to this vulnerability, while other versions remain unaffected.

Exploitation Mechanism

By taking advantage of the missing permission check in the Telephony component, an unauthorized user can manipulate SIM card settings, ultimately leading to an escalation of privilege within the device.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section focuses on the steps that users and organizations can take to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-21373 and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to be cautious while granting access to guest accounts on their Android devices, especially on version 14. Limiting the permissions of guest accounts can help reduce the risk of privilege escalation through this vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing robust security measures, such as regular security updates, user permissions management, and device monitoring, can contribute to overall device security and reduce the chances of vulnerabilities being exploited.

Patching and Updates

Google may release security patches or updates to address CVE-2023-21373. It is crucial for users to promptly install these patches to ensure that their devices are protected from potential exploitation of this vulnerability.