CVE intelligence and bounded remediation

CVE-2023-20943 — In clearApplicationUserData of ActivityManagerService.java, there is a possible way to remove system files due to a path traversal error

High CVSS 7.8

In clearApplicationUserData of ActivityManagerService.java, there is a possible way to remove system files due to a path traversal error. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with User execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-10 Android-11 Android-12 Android-12L Android-13Android ID: A-240267890

Severity
High
CVSS
7.8 (3.1)
Published
2023-02-28
CISA KEV
Not currently listed
Ecosystem
operating-system
Weaknesses
CWE-22

Affected products

  • google / android / 10.0
  • google / android / 11.0
  • google / android / 12.0
  • google / android / 12.1
  • google / android / 13.0

Matched remediation archetype

Path traversal, unsafe upload, and file handling

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Check exposure

  • Trace untrusted filenames, archive entries, URLs, and path segments into read, write, include, extraction, and upload operations.
  • Identify filesystem roots, mount permissions, symbolic-link behavior, archive handling, and whether uploaded content is web-accessible or executable.
  • Review canonicalization and containment checks across supported operating systems and storage backends.

Remediate safely

  • Generate server-side storage identifiers and resolve paths beneath a fixed root using filesystem-aware containment checks.
  • Reject absolute, parent-relative, alternate-separator, device, link, and archive entries that escape the intended root.
  • Store uploads outside executable or served paths, validate type and size, and use private atomic temporary files.

Authoritative sources

Complete CVE record and remediation plan

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