CVE-2023-20674 in MT5221
Summary
by MITRE • 04/06/2023
In wlan, there is a possible out of bounds read due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to local information disclosure with System execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. Patch ID: ALPS07588569; Issue ID: ALPS07588552.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/29/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-20674 resides within the wireless local area network subsystem of an operating system, specifically affecting the wlan component. This issue represents a classic out-of-bounds read condition that occurs when the system fails to validate array indices or buffer limits before accessing memory locations. The flaw manifests as a missing bounds check that should have been implemented to prevent unauthorized memory access patterns. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the system level where it can potentially be exploited to extract sensitive information from memory regions that should remain protected. The absence of proper input validation creates an opportunity for malicious actors to traverse memory boundaries and access data that would normally be restricted to authorized processes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate boundary checking mechanisms within the wireless networking driver or framework. When processing wireless network frames or managing wireless connection states, the system attempts to read data from memory locations without first verifying that the requested indices fall within acceptable ranges. This type of flaw falls under the CWE-129 weakness category, which specifically addresses insufficient bounds checking in array access operations. The vulnerability operates at a low system level where the wlan component handles wireless protocol parsing and network management functions, making it a critical point of attack for information disclosure scenarios. The flaw does not require user interaction to be exploited, which significantly increases its attack surface and potential impact.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides a pathway for attackers with system execution privileges to potentially extract sensitive data from memory. An attacker with local system access can leverage this out-of-bounds read to access memory regions containing configuration data, authentication credentials, or other sensitive information that may be stored in the wireless subsystem's memory space. The vulnerability's exploitation requires only system-level privileges rather than elevated privileges, which makes it particularly dangerous in environments where system-level access might be obtained through legitimate means or other exploitation techniques. This information disclosure could potentially lead to further privilege escalation attacks or provide attackers with data necessary for more sophisticated exploitation attempts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-20674 should focus on implementing robust bounds checking mechanisms within the wlan component and ensuring that all memory access operations validate their indices against defined buffer limits. The patch referenced as ALPS07588569 addresses this issue by introducing proper boundary validation checks that prevent out-of-bounds memory access attempts. System administrators should prioritize applying this patch immediately, as the vulnerability's low exploitation requirements make it particularly dangerous in production environments. Additionally, monitoring for unusual memory access patterns or network protocol parsing errors can help detect exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the information disclosure tactic, specifically targeting the system information gathering phase where attackers seek to understand system configurations and extract sensitive data from memory structures. Regular security assessments of wireless networking components and implementation of memory safety validation techniques should be part of ongoing security hardening efforts to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future.