CVE-2023-20814 in MT6580
Summary
by MITRE • 08/07/2023
In wlan service, 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: ALPS07453560; Issue ID: ALPS07453560.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-20814 resides within the wireless local area network service component of a mobile operating system, specifically affecting the wlan service module. This issue represents a critical security flaw that stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the wireless networking subsystem. The vulnerability manifests as an out-of-bounds write condition that occurs when the system processes malformed input data through the wlan service interface, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to exploit the weakness without requiring any user interaction.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-787, which describes out-of-bounds write conditions that occur when a program writes data past the end of a buffer or array. The flaw exists in the wlan service's handling of network configuration parameters or wireless protocol data packets that are processed without proper boundary checks. When legitimate input data exceeds expected buffer sizes or contains unexpected values, the system fails to validate these inputs appropriately, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged for privilege escalation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables local privilege escalation to system-level execution privileges, effectively allowing an attacker with low-privilege access to gain complete control over the device's wireless networking capabilities. This escalation occurs because the wlan service typically operates with elevated privileges to manage network connections and wireless hardware configurations. The absence of user interaction requirements makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited automatically without any manual intervention from the end-user, potentially enabling remote exploitation through other attack vectors that might establish initial access.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires the attacker to first gain access to the device's local execution environment, as the wlan service operates within the device's security boundaries. Once the attacker has local access, the out-of-bounds write can be triggered through carefully crafted network data or configuration parameters that cause memory corruption in the wlan service process. This corruption can then be leveraged to overwrite critical memory locations, potentially allowing code execution with system privileges. The patch ID ALPS07453560 indicates that this vulnerability was addressed through a specific software update that corrected the input validation logic within the wlan service module.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including deploying the vendor-provided patch referenced by ALPS07453560 and monitoring for any attempts to exploit this vulnerability through network traffic analysis or system logs. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically leveraging weaknesses in system services and daemon processes. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit potential attack surfaces and reduce the impact of successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust input validation in system services and highlights the critical nature of maintaining up-to-date security patches for all device components, particularly those operating with elevated privileges.