CVE-2023-20729 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This CVE record was assigned by MediaTek and was published on June 6, 2023. It involves a vulnerability related to potential information disclosure in wlan, where an out of bounds read could occur due to a missing bounds check. The exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to local information disclosure, requiring System execution privileges but no user interaction.

Understanding CVE-2023-20729

This section will delve into the details of CVE-2023-20729 and its impact, technical aspects, as well as mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-20729?

CVE-2023-20729 is a vulnerability in wlan where an out of bounds read could result in potential local information disclosure. The absence of a bounds check could allow an attacker to exploit the vulnerability without requiring any user interaction, making it potentially harmful.

The Impact of CVE-2023-20729

The impact of CVE-2023-20729 lies in the risk of local information disclosure, where an attacker could gain access to sensitive data on the affected systems. This could lead to privacy breaches and compromise the security of the system.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-20729

In this section, we will explore the technical details of the vulnerability, including its description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in wlan is caused by a missing bounds check, allowing for an out of bounds read. This flaw could be exploited by attackers to gain access to sensitive information without the need for user interaction, potentially leading to information disclosure.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected systems include products of MediaTek, Inc. such as MT6985, MT7902, MT7921, MT8365, MT8518, and MT8532. The specific versions impacted are Android 13.0 / Yocto 3.1, 3.3, and 4.0.

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploitation of CVE-2023-20729 involves leveraging the out of bounds read in wlan to gain unauthorized access to local information on the affected systems. This exploitation could result in significant security risks.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-20729 and prevent potential exploitation, it is crucial to take immediate steps, implement long-term security practices, and apply necessary patches and updates.

Immediate Steps to Take

Immediate steps to mitigate the risk posed by CVE-2023-20729 include monitoring for any suspicious activities, restricting access to vulnerable systems, and applying temporary workarounds to minimize the impact of the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

In the long term, it is essential to establish robust security measures such as regular security assessments, employee training on secure practices, and maintaining up-to-date security protocols to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

MediaTek has provided a patch for this vulnerability with Patch ID: ALPS07573552 and Issue ID: ALPS07573575. It is crucial for organizations using the affected products and versions to apply these patches promptly to eliminate the risk of exploitation from CVE-2023-20729.