CVE-2022-26428 in MT6739
Summary
by MITRE • 08/01/2022
In video codec, there is a possible memory corruption due to a race condition. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with System execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. Patch ID: ALPS06521260; Issue ID: ALPS06521260.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/01/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-26428 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within video codec implementations that stems from a race condition in the underlying software architecture. This type of vulnerability typically occurs when multiple threads or processes access shared resources concurrently without proper synchronization mechanisms, creating opportunities for unpredictable behavior and system instability. The race condition manifests specifically within the video processing pipeline where temporal inconsistencies can lead to improper memory handling and potential exploitation scenarios.
The technical nature of this flaw places it firmly within the realm of memory safety vulnerabilities, with direct implications for system integrity and privilege escalation capabilities. When a race condition occurs in video codec processing, it can result in memory corruption that allows malicious actors to manipulate program execution flow. The vulnerability requires system execution privileges for exploitation, indicating that it operates at a privileged level within the operating system kernel or system services. This characteristic distinguishes it from user-level vulnerabilities and suggests that successful exploitation could grant attackers elevated privileges within the system.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability presents a significant threat to system security as it enables local privilege escalation without requiring user interaction, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may have access to system resources. The lack of user interaction requirements means that exploitation can occur automatically when specific video processing conditions are met, potentially allowing attackers to gain system-level access and execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The patch identified as ALPS06521260 specifically addresses this race condition by implementing proper synchronization mechanisms and memory management protocols within the video codec processing routines.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-362, which describes race conditions in software systems, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves the exploitation of legitimate system privileges for privilege escalation. The video codec context places this vulnerability within the broader category of multimedia processing exploits that target system services and kernel modules. Organizations should prioritize patch deployment as the primary mitigation strategy, ensuring that all systems running affected video codec implementations receive the ALPS06521260 update. Additional defensive measures may include implementing process isolation for video processing tasks, monitoring for unusual memory access patterns, and restricting system privileges for video-related applications to minimize potential impact if exploitation occurs. The nature of the vulnerability suggests that it may be particularly relevant in mobile and embedded systems where video processing is frequently performed with elevated privileges.