CVE-2023-20943 Path traversal in Android

What is CVE-2023-20943?

CVE-2023-20943 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in Google Android, published on 28 Feb 2023. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.

Official description

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

Weakness: CWE-22

Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-20943?

It affects 1 product.

Products include Google Android.

How do I fix CVE-2023-20943?

Apply the vendor's patch.

Upgrade, and resolve every user-supplied path against an allowed base folder before opening it. More about Path traversal.

Is CVE-2023-20943 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-20943 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Public exploit code: 1 proofs of concept on GitHub.

Other vulnerabilities in Google Android

• CVE-2026-58704 Google Pixel Improper Authorization Exploited High 8.8
• CVE-2025-48543 Android Runtime Use-After-Free Exploited High 8.8
• CVE-2023-35674 Android Framework Privilege Escalation Exploited High 8.8
• CVE-2025-48595 Android Framework Integer Overflow Exploited High 8.4
• CVE-2024-32896 Android Pixel Privilege Escalation Exploited High 8.1

All Google Android vulnerabilities

Sources

• CVE record
• NVD
• OSV
• GitHub advisory
• How this page is made

Also known as A-240267890, ASB-A-240267890, GHSA-2f22-cxqh-52w2.