CVE-2023-20790 : What You Need to Know

A vulnerability has been identified in MediaTek devices, specifically in the nvram, which could potentially lead to an out-of-bounds write due to a missing bounds check. This vulnerability may result in local information disclosure, requiring System execution privileges without the need for user interaction.

Understanding CVE-2023-20790

This section delves into the specifics of CVE-2023-20790, shedding light on its nature, impact, and technical details.

What is CVE-2023-20790?

CVE-2023-20790 is a vulnerability found in MediaTek devices that could allow an attacker to perform an out-of-bounds write operation in the nvram, leading to local information disclosure. This vulnerability does not require any user interaction for exploitation, making it particularly concerning.

The Impact of CVE-2023-20790

The impact of CVE-2023-20790 is the potential disclosure of sensitive local information. With System execution privileges, an attacker could exploit this vulnerability to access confidential data stored on the affected devices without the user's consent.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-20790

In order to effectively address and mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-20790, it is crucial to understand the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability resides in the nvram of MediaTek devices, where an out-of-bounds write operation occurs due to a missing bounds check. This oversight could be leveraged by threat actors to disclose local information without requiring any user interaction.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts a wide range of MediaTek products, including but not limited to MT2713, MT6768, MT6833, MT6895, MT8195, and many more. Devices running Android 12.0, 13.0, OpenWrt 19.07, 21.02, RDK-B 22Q3, and Yocto 2.6, 3.3 are susceptible to exploitation.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting CVE-2023-20790 involves taking advantage of the missing bounds check in the nvram of MediaTek devices, thereby enabling unauthorized access to local information on the affected systems.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard devices from the risks posed by CVE-2023-20790, it is essential to implement immediate steps, establish long-term security practices, and prioritize patching and updates.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users and administrators are advised to closely monitor security bulletins and updates from MediaTek to stay informed about patches addressing CVE-2023-20790. Additionally, limiting access to sensitive information and resources can help mitigate the impact of this vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

In the long run, organizations should prioritize security awareness training, conduct regular security audits, and adhere to best practices for secure device configurations to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.

Patching and Updates

Applying patches provided by MediaTek for the affected systems and versions is crucial to remediate CVE-2023-20790. Timely installation of security updates helps close the identified vulnerability gaps and enhances the overall security posture of the devices.