CVE-2023-20752 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: ALPS07826586; Issue ID: ALPS07826586.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-20752 resides within the keymange component of a system, representing a critical out-of-bounds write flaw that stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms. This issue manifests when the system processes key management operations without proper bounds checking, creating a scenario where malicious data can overwrite adjacent memory locations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at a low system level where privilege escalation opportunities exist, allowing an attacker with local system access to potentially elevate their privileges to system level execution rights. The absence of user interaction requirements for exploitation makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be triggered automatically without any human intervention, enabling attackers to leverage this flaw for unauthorized system access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic buffer overflow condition where memory boundaries are not properly enforced during key management operations. When the system processes key data structures, it fails to validate the size or range of input parameters before writing to memory locations, creating opportunities for arbitrary memory corruption. This type of flaw typically falls under CWE-787, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds write conditions, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through system-level vulnerabilities. The missing bounds check represents a fundamental security gap in the memory management routines of the keymange service, where proper validation should occur before any memory allocation or write operations are executed.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-20752 extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it provides a pathway for local privilege escalation that can result in complete system compromise. An attacker who gains local access to a system with this vulnerability can potentially execute arbitrary code with system-level privileges, enabling them to modify critical system files, establish persistent backdoors, or extract sensitive information. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require user interaction, which means it can be automatically triggered during normal system operations, making detection more challenging. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK tactic T1078, which covers legitimate credentials and system access, as the vulnerability allows for unauthorized elevation of privileges without requiring additional social engineering or user engagement.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive bounds checking mechanisms within the keymange component, ensuring that all input data is properly validated before memory operations occur. System administrators should prioritize applying the vendor patch identified as ALPS07826586, which specifically addresses this out-of-bounds write condition. Additionally, implementing runtime protections such as address space layout randomization and stack canaries can provide additional defense-in-depth measures against exploitation attempts. Organizations should also conduct thorough code reviews of the keymange module to identify similar patterns that might exist elsewhere in the system, ensuring that all memory operations include proper bounds validation. The vulnerability's nature makes it particularly suitable for exploitation through techniques described in ATT&CK matrix under privilege escalation and defense evasion categories, necessitating comprehensive monitoring for suspicious system behavior and unauthorized privilege changes.