CVE-2023-38455
📋 TL;DR
CVE-2023-38455 is a missing permission check vulnerability in vowifiservice that allows local attackers to escalate privileges without requiring additional execution privileges. This affects systems running vulnerable versions of vowifiservice, typically on Unisoc-based devices. Attackers can gain elevated access to system resources they shouldn't normally have.
💻 Affected Systems
- vowifiservice
📦 What is this software?
Android by Google
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise where an attacker gains root/administrator privileges, potentially installing persistent malware, accessing sensitive data, or disrupting system operations.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation allowing attackers to bypass security controls, access restricted system functions, or modify system configurations.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper access controls, least privilege principles, and security monitoring are implemented to detect and prevent unauthorized privilege escalation attempts.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local access but no special privileges. The missing permission check makes exploitation straightforward once an attacker gains local access.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Not specified in provided references; check vendor advisory for specific patched versions
Vendor Advisory: https://www.unisoc.com/en_us/secy/announcementDetail/1698296481653522434
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Check Unisoc security advisory for specific patch details. 2. Apply vendor-provided firmware/software updates. 3. Restart affected devices to ensure patch is fully applied.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vowifiservice if not needed
androidTemporarily disable the vulnerable service to prevent exploitation
adb shell pm disable com.android.vowifiservice
adb shell service call vowifiservice 0
Implement strict access controls
allLimit local access to devices and implement least privilege principles
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict physical and logical access controls to prevent unauthorized local access
- Monitor for privilege escalation attempts and unusual system activity
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if vowifiservice is running on Unisoc-based devices and verify version against vendor advisoryCheck Version:
adb shell dumpsys package com.android.vowifiservice | grep versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify that the latest firmware/software updates from Unisoc have been applied and vowifiservice has been updated📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual privilege escalation attempts
- Unauthorized access to vowifiservice functions
- Suspicious system calls from non-privileged users
Network Indicators:
- Not applicable - local vulnerability
SIEM Query:
source="android_logs" AND (event="privilege_escalation" OR service="vowifiservice" AND action="unauthorized")