CVE-2023-21451 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE, assigned by Samsung Mobile, was published on February 9, 2023. It involves a stack-based overflow vulnerability in IpcRxEmbmsSessionList in SECRIL prior to Android S(12), which could allow an attacker to cause memory corruptions.

Understanding CVE-2023-21451

This section provides a detailed understanding of the vulnerability and its implications.

What is CVE-2023-21451?

CVE-2023-21451 is a stack-based overflow vulnerability in IpcRxEmbmsSessionList in SECRIL before Android S(12). This vulnerability could be exploited by an attacker to induce memory corruptions, potentially leading to further security compromises.

The Impact of CVE-2023-21451

The impact of this vulnerability is rated as MEDIUM according to the CVSS v3.1 base score of 6.7. The vulnerability's exploitability depends on local access, high attack complexity, and high privileges required. While the integrity and availability impacts are relatively low, the confidentiality impact is high.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-21451

In this section, we delve into the technical aspects of the CVE, including its description, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises due to a stack-based overflow in IpcRxEmbmsSessionList in SECRIL before Android S(12), which can be leveraged by an attacker to manipulate memory and potentially disrupt system operations.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects Samsung Mobile Devices running SECRIL before Android S(12). Specific versions are unspecified, indicating a broad range of potentially impacted devices.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers with local access and high privileges could exploit this vulnerability through a stack-based overflow in IpcRxEmbmsSessionList, inducing memory corruptions and potentially compromising system integrity.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines the necessary steps to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-21451 and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Samsung Mobile device users should stay informed about security updates and patches released by the manufacturer.
Implement strict access controls and limit privileges to reduce the risk of unauthorized exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update devices with the latest firmware and security patches to mitigate known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security assessments and audits to identify and address potential weaknesses in the system.

Patching and Updates

Users of Samsung Mobile Devices should regularly check for available security updates and promptly apply them to ensure protection against CVE-2023-21451 and other potential security threats.