CVE-2023-21358
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows a malicious Android app to impersonate the system UWB resources component due to improper cryptographic implementation. This enables local privilege escalation without requiring user interaction or additional permissions. Only Android devices with Ultra-Wideband (UWB) hardware running vulnerable versions are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Android with UWB (Ultra-Wideband) hardware
📦 What is this software?
Android by Google
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
A malicious app gains system-level privileges, potentially accessing sensitive UWB functionality, intercepting location data, or performing unauthorized device operations.
Likely Case
Malicious apps could abuse UWB capabilities for unauthorized proximity-based actions or gain elevated permissions for further exploitation.
If Mitigated
With proper app vetting and security controls, exploitation attempts would be detected and blocked before installation.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires creating a malicious Android app that abuses the cryptographic weakness to impersonate the system UWB resources component.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Android 14 (2023-10-01 security patch level or later)
Vendor Advisory: https://source.android.com/docs/security/bulletin/android-14
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Android device to Android 14 with October 2023 security patches or later. 2. Go to Settings > System > System update. 3. Check for and install available updates. 4. Restart device after installation.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable UWB functionality
androidTurn off Ultra-Wideband features to remove the vulnerable component
Settings > Connected devices > Connection preferences > Ultra-wideband > Toggle off
Restrict app installations
androidPrevent installation of apps from unknown sources
Settings > Security > Install unknown apps > Disable for all apps
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Disable UWB functionality in device settings
- Implement mobile device management (MDM) to block sideloading and restrict app installations
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Android version and security patch level: Settings > About phone > Android version. If before Android 14 with October 2023 patches, device is vulnerable if it has UWB hardware.Check Version:
adb shell getprop ro.build.version.release && adb shell getprop ro.build.version.security_patchVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm device shows Android 14 with security patch level 2023-10-01 or later in Settings > About phone.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Package manager logs showing apps requesting UWB permissions
- Security logs showing privilege escalation attempts
Network Indicators:
- Unusual UWB communication patterns
- Apps attempting to use UWB APIs without proper permissions
SIEM Query:
source="android_security" AND (event_type="package_install" AND package_name LIKE "%uwb%") OR (event_type="permission_grant" AND permission LIKE "%UWB%")