CVE-2023-20850 : What You Need to Know

This CVE-2023-20850 article provides detailed insights into a vulnerability discovered in imgsys_cmdq, potentially leading to local escalation of privilege on affected systems requiring System execution privileges. User interaction is necessary for exploitation.

Understanding CVE-2023-20850

The CVE-2023-20850 vulnerability affects certain MediaTek products, posing a security risk that could allow unauthorized privilege escalation on the system.

What is CVE-2023-20850?

CVE-2023-20850 pertains to a vulnerability in imgsys_cmdq that lacks proper range checking, enabling an out-of-bounds write. This flaw may be exploited by an attacker to elevate privileges locally.

The Impact of CVE-2023-20850

The impact of CVE-2023-20850 could result in an attacker gaining elevated privileges on the affected system, potentially leading to further exploitation or unauthorized access to sensitive information.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-20850

The following technical details highlight the specifics of the vulnerability:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from a missing valid range checking in imgsys_cmdq, allowing for an out-of-bounds write that can be leveraged for local privilege escalation.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts various MediaTek products, including MT2713, MT6895, MT6897, MT6983, MT8188, MT8195, MT8395, MT8781 running specific versions such as Android 11.0, 12.0, Linux 6.1, IOT-v23.0, and Yocto 4.0.

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit CVE-2023-20850, an attacker would require user interaction on the targeted system to trigger the out-of-bounds write and achieve local escalation of privilege.

Mitigation and Prevention

Understanding how to mitigate and prevent the CVE-2023-20850 vulnerability is crucial for ensuring system security.

Immediate Steps to Take

Immediate steps to mitigate the risk posed by CVE-2023-20850 include reviewing and applying the provided patch by MediaTek (Patch ID: ALPS07340433; Issue ID: ALPS07340381). Additionally, restricting user interaction and ensuring system hardening measures can help reduce the likelihood of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing robust security practices, such as regular security audits, threat monitoring, and access control mechanisms, can enhance overall system security and help prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Regularly updating software and firmware patches provided by the vendor, in this case, MediaTek, is essential for addressing known vulnerabilities and ensuring the system is protected against potential threats. Stay informed about security bulletins and updates from MediaTek to maintain a secure system environment.