CVE-2023-20751 in MT8167
Summary
by MITRE • 06/06/2023
In keymange, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with System execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. Patch ID: ALPS07825502; Issue ID: ALPS07825502.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-20751 resides within the keymange component of a system, representing a critical out-of-bounds write flaw that stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-787 category of out-of-bounds write conditions, where the system fails to properly verify array or buffer boundaries before performing write operations. The absence of proper bounds checking creates an exploitable condition that allows malicious actors to write data beyond the allocated memory space, potentially corrupting adjacent memory regions and compromising system stability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the keymange subsystem which handles cryptographic key management operations. When processing user-supplied data or system-generated key information, the component fails to validate the size or range of input parameters before attempting memory writes. This missing validation creates a scenario where an attacker can manipulate input data to cause writes beyond the intended buffer boundaries, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged for privilege escalation. The vulnerability requires system execution privileges for exploitation, indicating that it operates at a kernel or system-level context where the attacker must already possess some level of system access to initiate the attack vector.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-20751 extends beyond simple memory corruption as it enables local privilege escalation, allowing an attacker who can execute code on the system to potentially elevate their privileges to the highest system level. This escalation capability makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can provide attackers with complete system control, enabling them to access sensitive data, modify system configurations, or establish persistent backdoors. The fact that user interaction is not required for exploitation means that the vulnerability can be triggered automatically, making it especially concerning for systems that run with elevated privileges or operate in environments where automated attacks are possible. The patch identified as ALPS07825502 addresses this issue by implementing proper bounds checking mechanisms within the keymange component.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patch deployment as the primary defense mechanism, given the nature of the flaw and its potential for privilege escalation. System administrators should prioritize applying the ALPS07825502 patch across all affected systems to prevent exploitation. Additionally, implementing runtime protections such as address space layout randomization and stack canaries can help mitigate the impact of similar vulnerabilities in the future. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers privilege escalation through local exploits, and represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation can lead to severe system compromise. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous memory access patterns or buffer overflow attempts, particularly within system-level components that handle cryptographic operations.