CVE-2023-20679 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This is a published CVE assigned by MediaTek on April 6, 2023, with the vulnerability ID CVE-2023-20679. The vulnerability involves a potential out-of-bounds read in wlan, which could result in local escalation of privilege without the need for user interaction. It requires System execution privileges for exploitation.

Understanding CVE-2023-20679

This section will discuss the nature of CVE-2023-20679 and its impact on affected systems.

What is CVE-2023-20679?

CVE-2023-20679 is a vulnerability found in MediaTek products, specifically affecting a range of chipsets including MT5221, MT6781, MT6789, MT6833, and others. The vulnerability could allow an attacker to perform an out-of-bounds read operation in wlan, potentially leading to a local escalation of privilege.

The Impact of CVE-2023-20679

The impact of this vulnerability is significant as it could enable a malicious actor to elevate their privileges locally without requiring user interaction. This could potentially lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information on the affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-20679

In this section, we will delve into the technical aspects of the CVE-2023-20679 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from a missing bounds check in wlan, which may allow an attacker to read out of the specified boundaries within the system. This could be exploited to gain elevated privileges on the affected devices.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts various MediaTek chipsets such as MT5221, MT6781, MT6877, among others. The affected versions include Android 11.0, 12.0, and 13.0, as well as Yocto 3.1, 3.3, and 4.0. For some chipsets like MT5221, MT7663, MT7668, MT7902, and MT7921, the Linux-4.19 version is also affected.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting this vulnerability does not require user interaction, and an attacker with System execution privileges can potentially exploit the out-of-bounds read in wlan to escalate their privileges locally.

Mitigation and Prevention

Here we will outline the steps to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-20679 and prevent exploitation of the vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Immediate actions should include applying the provided patch (Patch ID: ALPS07588413) to address the vulnerability. System administrators should ensure timely patching of affected systems to mitigate the risk of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing robust security measures, such as regular security audits, network segmentation, and least privilege access controls, can help enhance overall system security and prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited.

Patching and Updates

Regularly monitoring security bulletins and updates from MediaTek is crucial to stay informed about patches and security fixes. Organizations should prioritize applying patches promptly to protect their systems from potential threats.

By understanding the nature of CVE-2023-20679 and taking proactive security measures, organizations can strengthen their defenses against potential exploits and safeguard their systems from unauthorized access.