CVE-2023-20800 : What You Need to Know

This CVE record was assigned by MediaTek and was published on August 7, 2023. It highlights a vulnerability in imgsys that could potentially result in a system crash and local privilege escalation.

Understanding CVE-2023-20800

This section will provide a detailed understanding of CVE-2023-20800, its impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-20800?

CVE-2023-20800 pertains to a vulnerability in imgsys, a component that can lead to a system crash due to a missing pointer check. This flaw could be exploited by an attacker to escalate privileges locally, requiring the execution of the system. Notably, user interaction is necessary for successful exploitation.

The Impact of CVE-2023-20800

The impact of this CVE includes the potential for a system crash and local privilege escalation on affected devices running MediaTek processors. This could be leveraged by malicious actors to gain elevated privileges on the system, posing a significant security risk.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-20800

In this section, we will delve into the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism of CVE-2023-20800.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in imgsys arises from a missing pointer check, leading to a system crash and possible local privilege escalation. Exploiting this flaw could grant unauthorized access to system execution privileges, requiring user interaction for successful exploitation.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts devices equipped with MediaTek processors such as MT6879, MT6895, MT6983, MT8188, MT8195, MT8395, and MT8781. Specifically, versions running Android 12.0, 13.0, or IOT-v23.0 (Yocto 4.0) are affected by this security issue.

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit CVE-2023-20800, an attacker would need user interaction to trigger the missing pointer check vulnerability in imgsys. By leveraging this flaw, the attacker could induce a system crash and potentially escalate their privileges on the local system.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section addresses the steps that can be taken to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-20800 and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users and system administrators are advised to apply the provided patch (Patch ID: ALPS07420968; Issue ID: ALPS07420955) to address the vulnerability promptly. Additionally, monitoring for any unusual activities or system crashes can help detect potential exploitation attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

In the long term, adopting robust security practices such as regular security assessments, keeping systems updated, and implementing least privilege access controls can enhance overall security posture and mitigate similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

It is crucial for affected users to apply the patch provided by MediaTek to address the vulnerability in imgsys effectively. Keeping systems up to date with the latest security patches and firmware updates can help prevent potential exploitation of known vulnerabilities.