CVE-2023-20677 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: ALPS07588413; Issue ID: ALPS07588436.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/31/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-20677 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 in the absence of proper bounds checking mechanisms that should prevent access to memory regions beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous in system-level components like wireless drivers where memory corruption can lead to arbitrary code execution or information disclosure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the wireless networking stack. When processing wireless frames or managing network connections, the wlan component fails to verify that data pointers or array indices remain within acceptable limits. This missing bounds check creates a scenario where maliciously crafted wireless packets or normal network operations could trigger memory access violations. The vulnerability specifically affects the wireless local area network functionality and operates at the kernel level where system privileges are required for exploitation, making it particularly concerning for system integrity.
Exploitation of this vulnerability requires system execution privileges, indicating that it operates within the kernel or system-level processes rather than user-space applications. The local information disclosure aspect suggests that an attacker with system-level access could potentially extract sensitive data from memory locations that should remain protected. This could include network credentials, system configuration details, or other confidential information stored in memory regions accessible through the flawed wlan component. The absence of user interaction requirements makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited automatically without requiring any user engagement or specific actions.
The patch ID ALPS07588413 and issue ID ALPS07588436 indicate this vulnerability was identified and addressed within a specific software development lifecycle, likely affecting Android-based systems or embedded platforms. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of array index bounds, and represents a common class of memory safety issues that have been extensively documented in security research. The ATT&CK framework would categorize this under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the system component level where kernel memory access occurs. Organizations should prioritize applying the vendor-provided patch immediately to prevent potential exploitation, as the vulnerability's nature makes it suitable for both information disclosure and potential privilege escalation attacks that could compromise entire system operations.
This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of memory safety in system-level components and highlights the need for comprehensive bounds checking mechanisms throughout kernel code. The flaw represents a fundamental security weakness that could enable attackers to extract sensitive information from system memory, potentially leading to further exploitation opportunities. Given that wireless networking components often have direct access to network interfaces and system resources, the impact of such vulnerabilities extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks. Security teams should monitor for similar vulnerabilities in other system components and ensure robust input validation practices are implemented across all kernel-level drivers and system services.