CVE-2023-38460
📋 TL;DR
CVE-2023-38460 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 devices using Unisoc chipsets. 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
An attacker gains full root/system-level access to the device, allowing complete control over the system, data theft, persistence installation, and further network compromise.
Likely Case
Local attackers gain elevated privileges to access restricted system functions, modify configurations, or access sensitive data they shouldn't normally have permission to access.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and patching, the vulnerability is eliminated, preventing privilege escalation attempts.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local access to the system but no additional privileges. The missing permission check makes exploitation straightforward once local access is obtained.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Not specified in references, but vendor has released security updates
Vendor Advisory: https://www.unisoc.com/en_us/secy/announcementDetail/1698296481653522434
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Check with device manufacturer for security updates. 2. Apply the latest firmware/security patch from the vendor. 3. Restart the device after patching. 4. Verify the patch is applied successfully.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict local access
allLimit physical and remote local access to vulnerable devices to reduce attack surface
Disable unnecessary services
linuxDisable vowifiservice if not required for device functionality
pm disable com.android.vowifiservice
setprop ctl.stop vowifiservice
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls to limit who has local access to vulnerable devices
- Monitor for suspicious privilege escalation attempts and unauthorized system modifications
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if vowifiservice is running and check device firmware version against vendor patched versionsCheck Version:
getprop ro.build.version.security_patchVerify Fix Applied:
Verify the device has received the latest security update from the manufacturer and check that the vulnerability is addressed in patch notes📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected privilege escalation attempts
- Unauthorized access to system services
- vowifiservice permission bypass logs
Network Indicators:
- Unusual local service communication patterns
SIEM Query:
source="android_system" AND (event="permission_violation" OR service="vowifiservice") AND action="escalate"