CVE-2023-21446 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE-2023-21446 pertains to an improper input validation issue found in MyFiles prior to version 12.2.09 in Android R(11), 13.1.03.501 in Android S(12), and 14.1.00.422 in Android T(13). This vulnerability allows a local attacker to access data of MyFiles.

Understanding CVE-2023-21446

This section delves into the details of CVE-2023-21446, shedding light on the nature of the vulnerability and its potential impact.

What is CVE-2023-21446?

The CVE-2023-21446 vulnerability involves improper input validation within the MyFiles application on Samsung Mobile devices. This flaw can be exploited by a local attacker to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data stored within MyFiles.

The Impact of CVE-2023-21446

With a CVSS base score of 6.2 (Medium severity), this vulnerability poses a significant risk to confidentiality, as it allows an attacker to potentially access and extract critical information from the MyFiles application. While the integrity and availability of the data may not be directly impacted, the confidentiality breach can have serious implications for users.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-21446

Here we explore the technical aspects of CVE-2023-21446, including the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in MyFiles stems from inadequate input validation, which fails to properly filter and sanitize user-supplied data. This oversight enables a local attacker to manipulate input to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information within the MyFiles application.

Affected Systems and Versions

The impacted systems include Samsung Mobile devices running MyFiles versions earlier than 12.2.09 in Android R(11), 13.1.03.501 in Android S(12), and 14.1.00.422 in Android T(13). Users with these versions are at risk of falling victim to the security vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit CVE-2023-21446, a malicious actor must have local access to the targeted device. By providing specially crafted input to the affected MyFiles application, the attacker can bypass input validation mechanisms and gain unauthorized access to sensitive data stored within MyFiles.

Mitigation and Prevention

In this section, we discuss the steps that users and organizations can take to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-21446 and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update their MyFiles application to the latest version available, ensuring that they are protected against the vulnerability. Additionally, exercising caution while handling files and data within the MyFiles application can help mitigate risks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Practicing good security hygiene, such as regular software updates, implementing access controls, and monitoring for unusual file access patterns, can help bolster the overall security posture and prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.

Patching and Updates

Samsung Mobile users should regularly check for updates to the MyFiles application and promptly install any security patches released by the vendor to address known vulnerabilities and enhance the overall security of their devices.