CVE-2023-20688 in MT2715
Summary
by MITRE • 04/06/2023
In power, 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: ALPS07441821; Issue ID: ALPS07441821.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/31/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-20688 represents a critical out-of-bounds read condition within the power management subsystem of Android-based devices. This flaw manifests as a missing bounds check that allows malicious code to access memory locations beyond the intended buffer boundaries. The vulnerability specifically affects the power management component and requires system execution privileges for exploitation, indicating that it operates at a low-level kernel or system service level where privileged access is already established. The absence of user interaction requirements for exploitation makes this vulnerability particularly concerning as it can be triggered automatically without any user engagement, potentially enabling automated attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the power management functions that handle system power states and related operations. When processing power-related commands or data structures, the system fails to verify that memory access operations remain within legitimate bounds, allowing for unauthorized memory reads that could expose sensitive system information. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which specifically addresses insufficient bounds checking in input validation scenarios, and represents a classic example of memory safety issues that can lead to information disclosure. The flaw operates at the kernel level where power management services reside, making it particularly dangerous as it can potentially expose system secrets, configuration data, or other sensitive information stored in memory.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for device security and privacy. The local information disclosure aspect means that an attacker with system execution privileges could access confidential data that should remain protected within the device's memory space. This could include power management configuration parameters, device identifiers, or other sensitive metadata that could be leveraged for further attacks. The requirement for system execution privileges indicates that the vulnerability likely targets root-level processes or kernel modules, making it accessible only to code that already has elevated privileges. However, the absence of user interaction requirements means that once an attacker gains system-level access, they can exploit this vulnerability automatically without additional user involvement. The patch ID ALPS07441821 indicates this is a specific Android Linux kernel patch addressing this issue, which aligns with the ATT&CK framework's T1068 technique for Local Privilege Escalation and T1005 for Data from Local System.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2023-20688 primarily involves applying the vendor-provided patch identified by ALPS07441821, which corrects the missing bounds check in the power management subsystem. System administrators should prioritize deployment of this patch across all affected devices, particularly those running Android-based operating systems where power management services are actively utilized. The patch implementation should be followed by comprehensive system testing to ensure no regression issues affect power management functionality. Organizations should also implement monitoring for suspicious system behavior related to power management services, as the vulnerability could potentially be used as a reconnaissance tool to gather system information before more sophisticated attacks are launched. Additional defensive measures include maintaining strict access controls to system execution privileges and implementing runtime monitoring for anomalous memory access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of memory safety in kernel-level code and demonstrates how seemingly minor implementation flaws can lead to significant information disclosure risks when combined with appropriate privilege levels.