CVE-2023-21113
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a confused deputy vulnerability in Android that allows local privilege escalation without user interaction. Attackers can bypass permission checks to gain elevated privileges on affected devices. This affects Android devices running vulnerable versions.
💻 Affected Systems
- Android
📦 What is this software?
Android by Google
Android by Google
Android by Google
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete device compromise allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with system privileges, access sensitive data, and persist malware.
Likely Case
Local attackers gaining elevated privileges to access protected data, install malicious apps, or modify system settings.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper patch management and security controls in place, though risk remains for unpatched devices.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires local access but no user interaction. The confused deputy attack vector suggests exploitation involves tricking privileged components into performing unauthorized actions.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: June 2024 Android Security Patch
Vendor Advisory: https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2024-06-01
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Check for Android system updates in Settings > System > System update. 2. Apply the June 2024 security patch. 3. Restart the device after installation. 4. Verify the patch is applied by checking the security patch level.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict local access
allLimit physical and local access to Android devices to reduce attack surface
Disable unnecessary services
androidDisable or restrict services that could be exploited via confused deputy attacks
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Isolate affected devices from sensitive networks and data
- Implement strict access controls and monitoring for local device access
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Settings > About phone > Android security patch level. If before June 2024, device is vulnerable.Check Version:
adb shell getprop ro.build.version.security_patchVerify Fix Applied:
Verify Android security patch level shows June 2024 or later in Settings > About phone.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual permission escalation attempts
- Suspicious process creation with elevated privileges
- Failed permission checks in system logs
Network Indicators:
- Not applicable - local attack vector
SIEM Query:
source="android_logs" AND (event_type="permission_violation" OR process_name="*escalation*" OR message="*confused deputy*")🔗 References
- https://android.googlesource.com/platform/build/soong/+/e7b7f0833dc47ade981eddfbf462dcc143dddd10
- https://android.googlesource.com/platform/frameworks/base/+/17dd11248a66b2722aa3ef07701b7f09a64160e5
- https://android.googlesource.com/platform/prebuilts/module_sdk/Wifi/+/c705bae1a4d50bd7b4f8cc919097d1aae568dd22
- https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2024-06-01
- https://android.googlesource.com/platform/build/soong/+/e7b7f0833dc47ade981eddfbf462dcc143dddd10
- https://android.googlesource.com/platform/frameworks/base/+/17dd11248a66b2722aa3ef07701b7f09a64160e5
- https://android.googlesource.com/platform/prebuilts/module_sdk/Wifi/+/c705bae1a4d50bd7b4f8cc919097d1aae568dd22
- https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2024-06-01
