CVE-2023-20801 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE record was assigned by MediaTek, and it was published on August 7, 2023. The vulnerability relates to a use-after-free issue in imgsys due to a race condition. It could potentially result in the local escalation of privilege, requiring System execution privileges without the need for user interaction. The affected products include MT6879, MT6895, MT6983, MT8188, MT8195, MT8395, and MT8781 running Android 12.0, 13.0, and IOT-v23.0.

Understanding CVE-2023-20801

This section will delve into the specifics of CVE-2023-20801, elaborating on what it is and its potential impact.

What is CVE-2023-20801?

CVE-2023-20801 is a vulnerability that stems from a use-after-free flaw in imgsys due to a race condition, potentially leading to the local escalation of privilege without requiring user interaction.

The Impact of CVE-2023-20801

The impact of this vulnerability could allow malicious actors to escalate their privileges locally on affected systems, posing a significant security risk to users and organizations.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-20801

In this section, we will explore the technical aspects of CVE-2023-20801, including the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in imgsys is caused by a race condition leading to a use-after-free scenario, which could be exploited by threat actors to elevate their privileges on the affected systems.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects MediaTek products including MT6879, MT6895, MT6983, MT8188, MT8195, MT8395, and MT8781 running Android 12.0, 13.0, and IOT-v23.0 (Yocto 4.0).

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting this vulnerability does not necessitate user interaction, making it concerning as threat actors could potentially leverage this flaw to escalate their privileges on vulnerable systems.

Mitigation and Prevention

Here we will discuss the steps to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-20801 and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Immediate actions should include applying patches provided by MediaTek to address the vulnerability promptly. Additionally, monitoring systems for any signs of exploitation is crucial.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing robust security practices such as regular vulnerability scanning, network segmentation, and privilege management can help enhance overall security posture and mitigate future risks.

Patching and Updates

Ensuring that systems are regularly updated with the latest security patches from the vendor is essential to protect against known vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-20801. Organizations should prioritize patch management processes to stay protected against emerging threats.