CVE-2023-20836 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This article provides detailed information about CVE-2023-20836, including its description, impact, technical details, affected systems, and mitigation steps.

Understanding CVE-2023-20836

CVE-2023-20836 is a recently published vulnerability that affects MediaTek's products. It involves a possible out-of-bounds read in camsys due to a missing bounds check. The exploitation of this vulnerability could result in local information disclosure without the need for user interaction.

What is CVE-2023-20836?

CVE-2023-20836 is classified as an "Information Disclosure" vulnerability. It requires system execution privileges for exploitation and is associated with Patch ID ALPS07505629.

The Impact of CVE-2023-20836

The impact of CVE-2023-20836 is the potential local information disclosure on systems running affected versions of MediaTek products. This can pose a risk to sensitive data stored on the device.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-20836

The technical details of CVE-2023-20836 include:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability involves a missing bounds check in camsys, leading to a possible out-of-bounds read. This loophole can be exploited to disclose local information.

Affected Systems and Versions

The following MediaTek products are affected by CVE-2023-20836:

Vendor: MediaTek, Inc.
Products: MT6762, MT6765, MT6768, MT6771, MT6779, MT6781, MT6785, MT6833, MT6853, MT6877, MT6885, MT6893, MT8768, MT8788
Versions: Android 11.0, 12.0, 13.0

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploitation of this vulnerability does not require user interaction and can be executed with system execution privileges. Attackers could exploit this flaw to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-20836, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the affected MediaTek products to the latest patched versions.
Monitor security bulletins and advisories from MediaTek for any further updates or patches related to this vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement proper security measures and best practices to safeguard against potential information disclosure vulnerabilities.
Conduct regular security audits and assessments to identify and address any security gaps proactively.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for security updates and patches released by MediaTek to address CVE-2023-20836. Apply these updates promptly to ensure the security of the affected systems and prevent exploitation of the vulnerability.