CVE-2024-23704 – This vulnerability allows local attackers to by... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2024-23704?

CVE-2024-23704 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH). This vulnerability allows local attackers to bypass the DISALLOW_ADD_WIFI_CONFIG restriction in Android's Settings app, enabling them to add unauthorized WiFi configurations without proper permissions. It affects Android devices where this restriction is enforced, potentially allowing escalation of privilege. No user interaction is required for exploitation.

📋 TL;DR

This vulnerability allows local attackers to bypass the DISALLOW_ADD_WIFI_CONFIG restriction in Android's Settings app, enabling them to add unauthorized WiFi configurations without proper permissions. It affects Android devices where this restriction is enforced, potentially allowing escalation of privilege. No user interaction is required for exploitation.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Android

Versions: Android versions prior to the April 2024 security patch

Operating Systems: Android

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Affects devices where the DISALLOW_ADD_WIFI_CONFIG restriction is enforced, typically in managed/enterprise environments.

📦 What is this software?

Android by Google

View all CVEs affecting Android →

Android by Google

View all CVEs affecting Android →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

An attacker with physical or local access could add malicious WiFi configurations that redirect traffic, intercept communications, or facilitate further attacks on the device.

🟠

Likely Case

Malicious apps or users could bypass enterprise WiFi restrictions to connect to unauthorized networks, potentially exposing sensitive data.

🟢

If Mitigated

With proper device management and security policies, the impact is limited as the vulnerability requires local access and bypasses only one specific restriction.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - This is a local privilege escalation vulnerability that does not directly expose services to the internet.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Requires local access to the device, but could be exploited by malicious apps or users with physical access in enterprise environments.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: LOW

Exploitation requires local access to the device but no additional privileges. The vulnerability is in the Settings app's WifiDialogActivity.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Android Security Patch Level April 2024 or later

Vendor Advisory: https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2024-04-01

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Apply the April 2024 Android security patch from your device manufacturer. 2. Update the Settings app if available through Google Play. 3. Reboot the device after patching.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable Settings app modifications

android

Restrict modifications to system settings using device management policies

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.settings

Enforce WiFi configuration restrictions

all

Use Mobile Device Management (MDM) to enforce strict WiFi configuration policies

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement strict device access controls to prevent unauthorized local access
Use Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to monitor and restrict WiFi configuration changes

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check Android security patch level in Settings > About phone > Android version. If patch level is before April 2024, device is vulnerable.

Check Version:

adb shell getprop ro.build.version.security_patch

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify security patch level shows 'April 5, 2024' or later in Settings > About phone > Android version.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Unauthorized WiFi configuration attempts in system logs
Settings app activity related to WiFi configuration without proper permissions

Network Indicators:

Unexpected WiFi network connections from managed devices
Devices connecting to unauthorized WiFi networks

SIEM Query:

source="android_system" AND (event="wifi_configuration" OR event="settings_activity") AND user_restricted="true"

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-23704

CVSS v3 Score: 7.8 (HIGH)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CWE: CWE-862

Published: May 7, 2024

Last Updated: December 17, 2024

🔗 References

https://android.googlesource.com/platform/packages/apps/Settings/+/2e90322bab7de1deaf3c82e207bf4404b92743d7 Mailing List,Patch
https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2024-04-01 Patch,Vendor Advisory
https://android.googlesource.com/platform/packages/apps/Settings/+/2e90322bab7de1deaf3c82e207bf4404b92743d7 Mailing List,Patch
https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2024-04-01 Patch,Vendor Advisory

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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