CVE-2023-20798 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE record details a vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-20798, which was assigned and published by MediaTek on August 7, 2023. The vulnerability involves an out-of-bounds read issue in pda, resulting from an incorrect calculation of buffer size. Exploiting this vulnerability could potentially lead to local information disclosure, requiring System execution privileges but no user interaction. Affected products include various models by MediaTek, such as MT2713, MT6855, MT6879, MT6886, MT6895, MT6983, MT6985, MT8188, MT8195, MT8395, and MT8673, running Android 12.0 and 13.0.

Understanding CVE-2023-20798

This section delves deeper into the details of CVE-2023-20798, outlining what this vulnerability entails, its impact, and how to mitigate the associated risks effectively.

What is CVE-2023-20798?

CVE-2023-20798 refers to an out-of-bounds read vulnerability in pda within certain MediaTek devices. The flaw arises due to an incorrect calculation of buffer size, potentially leading to local information disclosure. Notably, exploitation of this vulnerability does not require user interaction but necessitates System execution privileges.

The Impact of CVE-2023-20798

The impact of CVE-2023-20798 lies in its potential to expose sensitive local information on affected devices, posing security risks to user data and system integrity. With System execution privileges, attackers could exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to confidential information stored on the device.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-20798

This section provides insights into the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism at play.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in CVE-2023-20798 stems from an out-of-bounds read issue in pda, attributed to an inaccurate calculation of buffer size. This flaw could be leveraged by threat actors to extract local information without requiring user interaction.

Affected Systems and Versions

Devices utilizing MediaTek chipsets such as MT2713, MT6855, MT6879, MT6886, MT6895, MT6983, MT6985, MT8188, MT8195, MT8395, and MT8673 running Android versions 12.0 and 13.0 are vulnerable to CVE-2023-20798, potentially exposing them to the risk of local information disclosure.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting CVE-2023-20798 involves leveraging the out-of-bounds read vulnerability in pda, exploiting the incorrect buffer size calculation to gain unauthorized access to sensitive local information on affected devices.

Mitigation and Prevention

In light of the risks posed by CVE-2023-20798, implementing appropriate mitigation strategies and security practices is crucial to safeguard devices against potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users and organizations are advised to apply the provided patch with Patch ID ALPS07147572 and address the issue highlighted by Issue ID ALPS07421076 promptly to mitigate the vulnerability and prevent potential information disclosure.

Long-Term Security Practices

Maintaining regular security updates, conducting thorough security assessments, and adhering to best practices in secure coding can help enhance the overall security posture of devices and mitigate the risk of similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Staying vigilant for security bulletins and updates from MediaTek, applying patches in a timely manner, and ensuring that devices are running the latest firmware can help prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-20798.