CVE-2023-20681 in MT6886
Summary
by MITRE • 04/06/2023
In adsp, there is a possible out of bounds write due to improper input validation. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with System execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. Patch ID: ALPS07696134; Issue ID: ALPS07696134.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/24/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-20681 resides within the adsp component of a mobile operating system, specifically affecting the Android platform. This issue represents a critical security flaw that manifests as an out-of-bounds write condition, a class of vulnerability that has been consistently categorized under CWE-787 by the Common Weakness Enumeration database. The flaw occurs when the system fails to properly validate input data received through the adsp service, which is responsible for handling audio digital signal processing operations within the device's system architecture.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking mechanisms within the adsp subsystem's memory management functions. When malicious input is processed by the audio processing component, the system attempts to write data beyond the allocated memory boundaries, potentially overwriting adjacent memory locations. This memory corruption can be exploited to manipulate critical system structures, including process control blocks, memory management tables, or even kernel data structures that govern privilege levels. The vulnerability's classification as a local privilege escalation means that an attacker with access to the device's system-level processes could leverage this flaw to gain elevated privileges, potentially reaching system execution level access that would normally require physical device access or more sophisticated attack vectors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it provides a pathway for adversaries to execute arbitrary code with the highest privilege levels available within the system. This particular flaw does not require user interaction for exploitation, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered automatically through system processes or malicious applications that can communicate with the vulnerable adsp service. The absence of user interaction requirements aligns this vulnerability with ATT&CK technique T1068, which describes the exploitation of local privilege escalation vulnerabilities. The patch ID ALPS07696134 indicates that this issue was addressed within the Android Linux kernel's audio subsystem, specifically targeting the adsp driver's input validation mechanisms to prevent buffer overflows during data processing operations.
The security implications of CVE-2023-20681 are significant as it represents a potential gateway for attackers to bypass traditional security boundaries within the mobile operating system. Once an attacker achieves system-level privileges through this vulnerability, they could access sensitive user data, modify system configurations, install malicious applications, or even establish persistent backdoors within the device. The vulnerability's exploitation capability is further enhanced by its location within the audio processing subsystem, which typically operates with elevated privileges to ensure proper audio functionality across different applications and system components. This makes the attack surface particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to maintain persistent access to mobile devices, especially given the widespread use of these platforms in enterprise environments where sensitive data is frequently processed and stored. The patch implementation for this vulnerability focuses on strengthening input validation routines and implementing additional memory boundary checks within the adsp service to prevent unauthorized memory modifications that could lead to privilege escalation attacks.