CVE-2023-20652 in MT6580
Summary
by MITRE • 04/06/2023
In keyinstall, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with System execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. Patch ID: ALPS07628168; Issue ID: ALPS07589135.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/29/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-20652 resides within the keyinstall component of an Android system, representing a critical out-of-bounds write flaw that enables local privilege escalation. This issue manifests when the system fails to perform proper bounds checking during memory operations, creating a scenario where malicious code can overwrite adjacent memory locations beyond the intended buffer boundaries. The vulnerability specifically affects the key installation process, which is fundamental to system security operations and device authentication mechanisms. The missing bounds check represents a classic software security flaw that has been documented under CWE-129 as an inadequate bounds checking vulnerability, where insufficient validation allows for memory corruption that can be exploited to gain elevated privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it provides a pathway for local attackers to escalate their privileges from standard user level to system level execution. This privilege escalation capability is particularly dangerous because it requires no user interaction for exploitation, meaning that any process running with normal user privileges could potentially leverage this flaw to gain complete system control. The requirement for System execution privileges to exploit the vulnerability indicates that the attacker must already have some level of access to the system, but the vulnerability itself removes the additional barrier that would normally prevent privilege escalation. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers 'Local Privilege Escalation' through various system weaknesses and implementation flaws that allow processes to elevate their privileges.
The patch ID ALPS07628168 and issue ID ALPS07589135 indicate this vulnerability was addressed within a specific Android system implementation, likely targeting devices manufactured by a particular vendor or chipset provider. The fact that this vulnerability affects the keyinstall component suggests it is deeply integrated into the system's security infrastructure, making it particularly concerning as it could compromise the entire device authentication and key management system. The absence of user interaction requirements for exploitation makes this vulnerability especially dangerous in environments where devices may be accessed by untrusted parties or where automated attacks could be deployed. Security researchers have noted that such out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities often serve as gateway exploits, where attackers can use the memory corruption to overwrite critical system structures, potentially leading to complete system compromise or persistent backdoor access. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory safety practices in security-critical system components, particularly those involved in authentication and key management processes that are fundamental to device security.