CVE-2023-46139 | KernelSU signature validation mismatch

KernelSU is a Kernel based root solution for Android. Starting in version 0.6.1 and prior to version 0.7.0, if a KernelSU installed device is infected with a malware whose app signing block specially constructed, it can take over root privileges on the device. The vulnerable verification logic actually obtains the signature of the last block with an id of `0x7109871a`, while the verification logic during Android installation is to obtain the first one. In addition to the actual signature upgrade that has been fixed (KSU thought it was V2 but was actually V3), there is also the problem of actual signature downgrading (KSU thought it was V2 but was actually V1). Find a condition in the signature verification logic that will cause the signature not to be found error, and KernelSU does not implement the same conditions, so KSU thinks there is a V2 signature, but the APK signature verification actually uses the V1 signature. This issue is fixed in version 0.7.0. As workarounds, keep the KernelSU manager installed and avoid installing unknown apps.

Published: 2023-10-31 Last update: 2024-11-21 Assigner: [email protected] Source: [email protected]
NVD Status：Modified，CVE State: published
View at NVD, CVE.org, EUVD

CVE-2023-46139 is rated Low Risk (21.7/100): CVSS Medium severity, with low exploitation likelihood (EPSS 0.02%). Monitor for updates and reassess as exploit intelligence or EPSS changes.

Risk is dynamic; we continuously reassess and refresh what is shown on this page as upstream context changes.

Exploit prediction scoring system (EPSS) score for CVE-2023-46139

EPSS lead: Daily EPSS estimates relative likelihood of exploitation; percentile ranks this CVE among scored vulnerabilities (higher = more severe relative rank).

# Date Old EPSS score New EPSS score Delta (New - Old)
1 2025-11-21 0.06% 0.02% -0.04%
2 2025-11-18 0.02% 0.06% +0.04%
3 2025-04-15 — 0.02% —

Full EPSS history (5 records total)

Common vulnerability scoring system (CVSS) metrics for CVE-2023-46139

CVSS metrics for this CVE.

Base score Version Severity Vector Exploitability Impact Score source
5.0 3.1 MEDIUM
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:L Click to expand
Attack vector (AV:L)
They already need access on the box, or another person has to do something wrong; it’s not a remote drive-by.
Attack complexity (AC:H)
Even with access, the exploit needs extra luck, timing, or a fussy environment to actually work.
Privileges required (PR:L)
A normal user session is enough; they don’t have to be admin.
User interaction (UI:R)
A real person has to do something—click, install, enable—otherwise it doesn’t land.
Scope (S:C)
Breaking this can reach past the original component and bite other resources—bigger blast radius.
Confidentiality (C:L)
Some sensitive info could get out, but not a total data dump.
Integrity (I:L)
Attackers could change some data, but it’s limited—not everything goes.
Availability (A:L)
Might cause slowdowns, glitches, or partial disruption—not a full brick.
 0.8 3.7 [email protected]
5.7 3.1 MEDIUM
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:L Click to expand
Attack vector (AV:L)
They already need access on the box, or another person has to do something wrong; it’s not a remote drive-by.
Attack complexity (AC:L)
Once they can reach the bug, pulling it off is straightforward—no weird race conditions or rare setup.
Privileges required (PR:L)
A normal user session is enough; they don’t have to be admin.
User interaction (UI:R)
A real person has to do something—click, install, enable—otherwise it doesn’t land.
Scope (S:C)
Breaking this can reach past the original component and bite other resources—bigger blast radius.
Confidentiality (C:L)
Some sensitive info could get out, but not a total data dump.
Integrity (I:L)
Attackers could change some data, but it’s limited—not everything goes.
Availability (A:L)
Might cause slowdowns, glitches, or partial disruption—not a full brick.
 1.5 3.7 [email protected]

Weakness enumeration for CVE-2023-46139

Affected software / configurations for CVE-2023-46139

Vendor Product Version Raw CPE
kernelsu kernelsu >= 0.6.1, < 0.7.0 cpe:2.3:a:kernelsu:kernelsu:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

References for CVE-2023-46139

URL Tags
http://aospxref.com/android-14.0.0_r2/xref/frameworks/base/core/java/android/util/apk/ApkSigningBlockUtils.java#770 Third Party Advisory
http://aospxref.com/android-14.0.0_r2/xref/frameworks/base/core/java/android/util/apk/ApkSigningBlockUtils.java#783 Third Party Advisory
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1XdYCCAhC_mkt1k1IyUiwcgFsuOFvwNRl Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/tiann/KernelSU/blob/344c08bb79ba12b692016750cda363f9f3500182/kernel/apk_sign.c#L179C32-L179C32 Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/tiann/KernelSU/blob/344c08bb79ba12b692016750cda363f9f3500182/kernel/apk_sign.c#L188 Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/tiann/KernelSU/commit/d24813b2c3738f2f9bd762932141cadd948c354f Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/tiann/KernelSU/security/advisories/GHSA-86cp-3prf-pwqq Third Party Advisory
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