CVE-2023-21505 : What You Need to Know

This CVE, assigned by Samsung Mobile, highlights an improper access control issue in Samsung Core Service before version 2.1.00.36. This vulnerability enables an attacker to write arbitrary files in the sandbox environment.

Understanding CVE-2023-21505

This section will delve into what CVE-2023-21505 entails and its impact, along with technical details and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-21505?

CVE-2023-21505 is categorized as an improper access control vulnerability in Samsung Core Service. Prior to version 2.1.00.36, the lack of proper access controls allows unauthorized users to write arbitrary files within the sandbox, potentially leading to data manipulation or system compromise.

The Impact of CVE-2023-21505

The impact of this vulnerability is considered medium with a CVSS v3.1 base score of 4 out of 10. While the attack complexity is low and no user interaction or privileges are required, the integrity impact is low with no confidentiality or availability impact. However, attackers could exploit this vulnerability to tamper with system files or data stored within the affected service.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-21505

In this section, we will explore the specific technical aspects of CVE-2023-21505, including the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Samsung Core Service allows attackers to bypass access controls, leading to unauthorized file writing in the sandbox environment. This can potentially compromise the integrity of the system and user data.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects Samsung Core Service versions earlier than 2.1.00.36. Systems running versions less than this specified release are vulnerable to exploitation.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by leveraging the improper access control mechanism within Samsung Core Service. By exploiting this weakness, they can write arbitrary files in the sandbox, potentially causing unauthorized data modifications or system compromise.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-21505 and mitigate the associated risks, certain immediate steps should be taken along with long-term security practices and regular patching and updates.

Immediate Steps to Take

Samsung Core Service users should implement access controls and permissions to restrict unauthorized file writing.
Monitor file activities within the sandbox environment for any suspicious behavior.
Consider limiting the write permissions of the service to prevent arbitrary file creation by attackers.

Long-Term Security Practices

Conduct regular security assessments and audits to identify and address any access control issues in critical services.
Educate users and administrators on secure coding practices and access control best practices.
Implement security controls such as intrusion detection systems to detect unauthorized file writing attempts.

Patching and Updates

Update Samsung Core Service to version 2.1.00.36 or later, where the vulnerability is patched.
Stay informed about security updates and patches released by Samsung Mobile to address potential security flaws in their services.