CVE-2023-20650 : What You Need to Know

This CVE-2023-20650 report was published on March 7, 2023, by MediaTek. The vulnerability involves a possible out-of-bounds write in apu, which could allow local escalation of privilege without requiring user interaction. The affected products include various MediaTek chipsets and specific Android versions.

Understanding CVE-2023-20650

This section will delve into the details of CVE-2023-20650, outlining what the vulnerability entails and its impact.

What is CVE-2023-20650?

CVE-2023-20650 is a vulnerability in MediaTek chipsets that could potentially allow a local attacker to escalate their privileges without needing user interaction. This type of vulnerability is classified as an "Elevation of Privilege" issue.

The Impact of CVE-2023-20650

The impact of CVE-2023-20650 is significant, as it could lead to unauthorized privilege escalation within the affected system, posing a risk to data security and system integrity.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-20650

In this section, we will explore the technical aspects of CVE-2023-20650, including a description of the vulnerability, affected systems, versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in apu involves a missing bounds check, which could result in an out-of-bounds write scenario. This flaw could be exploited by a local attacker to gain elevated privileges on the system.

Affected Systems and Versions

The CVE-2023-20650 vulnerability impacts several MediaTek chipsets, including MT6853, MT6853T, MT6873, MT6875, MT6877, MT6879, MT6883, MT6885, MT6889, MT6891, MT6893, MT6895, and MT6983. The specific affected versions are Android 12.0 and 13.0.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited locally to execute a privilege escalation attack without the need for any user interaction. This makes it a critical security concern for devices utilizing the affected MediaTek chipsets.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines the necessary steps to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-20650 and prevent potential exploitation of the vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users and administrators are advised to apply the provided patch ID: ALPS07629577 to address the vulnerability in affected MediaTek chipsets. Implementing this patch can help prevent unauthorized privilege escalation on the system.

Long-Term Security Practices

In addition to patching the vulnerability, it is essential for organizations to adopt robust security measures, such as regular security updates, network segmentation, access controls, and ongoing vulnerability assessments, to enhance overall system security.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for security bulletins and updates from MediaTek to ensure that the latest patches are installed on vulnerable devices. Timely patching is crucial in mitigating the risk of exploitation and maintaining a secure environment for users and data.

By following these mitigation and prevention guidelines, organizations and users can effectively protect their systems and data from the potential risks associated with CVE-2023-20650.