CVE-2023-48404
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to read memory outside intended bounds in Android's ProtocolMiscCarrierConfigSimInfoIndAdapter component, potentially disclosing sensitive information without user interaction. It affects Android devices, particularly Google Pixel phones, and requires no special privileges for exploitation.
💻 Affected Systems
- Google Pixel phones
- Android devices with affected protocol stack
📦 What is this software?
Android by Google
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Remote information disclosure could leak sensitive device data, SIM information, or memory contents to attackers without any user interaction.
Likely Case
Information disclosure of carrier configuration data or adjacent memory contents, potentially exposing device identifiers or configuration details.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper network segmentation and device isolation, though information disclosure still possible.
🎯 Exploit Status
No authentication required, but exploitation requires sending specially crafted protocol messages to the vulnerable component
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: December 2023 Android security patch level
Vendor Advisory: https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/pixel/2023-12-01
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Check for system updates in Settings > System > System update. 2. Install December 2023 Android security patch. 3. Reboot device after installation.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Network segmentation
allIsolate affected devices from untrusted networks to prevent remote exploitation
Disable vulnerable services
androidRestrict carrier configuration services if not required
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Isolate affected devices in separate network segments with strict firewall rules
- Monitor network traffic for unusual protocol activity targeting carrier configuration services
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Android security patch level in Settings > About phone > Android version > Security patch levelCheck Version:
adb shell getprop ro.build.version.security_patchVerify Fix Applied:
Verify security patch level shows December 2023 or later📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual protocol errors in system logs
- Carrier configuration service crashes
Network Indicators:
- Unusual protocol traffic to carrier configuration services
- Suspicious SIM-related protocol messages
SIEM Query:
source="android_system" AND ("ProtocolMiscCarrierConfig" OR "protocolmiscadapter") AND (error OR crash OR exception)