CVE-2023-20747 in MT5696
Summary
by MITRE • 06/06/2023
In vcu, there is a possible memory corruption due to type confusion. This could lead to local denial of service with System execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. Patch ID: ALPS07519103; Issue ID: ALPS07519121.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-20747 represents a critical memory corruption issue within the vcu component that stems from a type confusion flaw. This type confusion vulnerability occurs when the system incorrectly handles data types during runtime operations, leading to unpredictable behavior and potential system instability. The flaw manifests in a manner that allows for local denial of service conditions, requiring system execution privileges for exploitation but eliminating the need for user interaction. This characteristic significantly reduces the attack surface and makes the vulnerability particularly concerning for systems where privileged execution is possible.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper type handling within the vcu subsystem where the software fails to properly validate or distinguish between different data types during memory operations. When the system processes data structures, it may incorrectly interpret one type of data as another, causing memory corruption that can lead to system crashes or forced reboots. This type confusion typically arises from insufficient input validation, improper memory management, or flawed object-oriented programming practices where type information is not properly maintained during runtime operations. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-471 category of "Incorrectly Handling of Type Information" which directly relates to improper type handling in memory management operations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for systems that rely on the vcu component for critical functions. The requirement for system execution privileges means that attackers with local access or those who can escalate privileges can trigger the denial of service condition without any user interaction. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where privileged accounts are compromised or where privilege escalation attacks are possible. The local nature of the attack means that it can be exploited from within the system itself, making detection more challenging as it may not appear as an external network-based attack. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromising system availability and reliability in mission-critical applications.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2023-20747 should focus on implementing the provided patch ALPS07519103 which addresses the underlying type confusion issue in the vcu component. System administrators should prioritize patch deployment across all affected systems, particularly those where the vcu component is actively used and where system execution privileges are accessible. Additionally, implementing robust input validation measures and memory management practices can help prevent similar type confusion vulnerabilities from occurring in the future. Network segmentation and privilege separation should be maintained to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities, and continuous monitoring should be implemented to detect any anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which covers "Utilities: Endpoint Denial of Service" and represents a clear example of how memory corruption vulnerabilities can be leveraged for system disruption. Organizations should also consider implementing additional defensive measures such as address space layout randomization and stack canaries to make exploitation more difficult even if similar vulnerabilities exist in other components of the system.