CVE-2023-20653 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: ALPS07589144.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/29/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-20653 resides within the keyinstall component of a system, representing a critical out-of-bounds write flaw that stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms. This issue manifests when the system fails to perform proper bounds checking during memory operations, creating a scenario where malicious data can overwrite adjacent memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. The flaw specifically affects the keyinstall module which likely handles key management or installation processes, making it a prime target for privilege escalation attacks.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within the realm of memory safety issues, specifically categorized under CWE-787: Out-of-bounds Write, which is a fundamental weakness in software design that allows attackers to write data beyond the intended memory boundaries. The absence of proper bounds checking means that when the system processes input data for key installation operations, it does not validate whether the data length exceeds the allocated buffer size, creating a predictable exploitation vector. This type of vulnerability typically arises from insufficient input sanitization and inadequate defensive programming practices during buffer management operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-20653 is particularly severe as it enables local privilege escalation to system level execution privileges without requiring any user interaction for exploitation. This characteristic places the vulnerability in the ATT&CK framework under the T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation tactic, where attackers can leverage local vulnerabilities to gain elevated system access. The requirement for system execution privileges to exploit the vulnerability suggests that it operates within a context where the attacker already has some level of access to the system, but the vulnerability allows them to elevate their privileges to the highest system level, potentially enabling complete system compromise and persistent access.
The mitigation strategy for this vulnerability involves applying the vendor-provided patch identified as ALPS07628168, which addresses the root cause by implementing proper bounds checking mechanisms within the keyinstall component. Security administrators should prioritize patch deployment across all affected systems and validate that the patch has been successfully applied through configuration management tools. Additionally, system hardening measures should include implementing memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and data execution prevention to make exploitation more difficult even if the underlying vulnerability persists. Regular security assessments and code reviews focusing on memory management practices should be conducted to identify similar issues in other components of the system. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of defensive programming practices and proper input validation in preventing privilege escalation attacks that can lead to complete system compromise.