CVE-2023-20833 in MT6580
Summary
by MITRE • 09/04/2023
In keyinstall, there is a possible information disclosure 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: ALPS08017756; Issue ID: ALPS08017764.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-20833 resides within the keyinstall component of a system, representing a critical information disclosure flaw that stems from an inadequate bounds checking mechanism. This particular weakness manifests in the form of a missing validation check that should have prevented unauthorized access to sensitive data structures. The vulnerability operates at a low-level system interface where input validation fails to properly constrain data boundaries, creating an exploitable condition that allows for information leakage.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves a scenario where the keyinstall module processes user-provided data without adequate boundary verification, enabling an attacker to manipulate input parameters in ways that bypass normal access controls. This missing bounds check creates a path where memory access patterns can be manipulated to extract information from adjacent memory locations. The vulnerability specifically affects systems where the keyinstall functionality is utilized for managing cryptographic keys or system authentication components, making it particularly dangerous in security-sensitive environments. According to CWE standards, this corresponds to CWE-129, which addresses insufficient bounds checking, and CWE-200, which covers exposure of sensitive information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it requires only system execution privileges for exploitation, eliminating the need for user interaction or additional attack vectors. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where privilege escalation is possible or where system-level access is already compromised. Local attackers with system-level privileges can leverage this flaw to extract sensitive information that may include cryptographic keys, authentication tokens, or other confidential system data. The attack vector does not require any user engagement, making it highly stealthy and difficult to detect through conventional monitoring mechanisms.
The patch identified as ALPS08017756 addresses this vulnerability through the implementation of proper bounds checking mechanisms within the keyinstall module. This fix ensures that all input data is validated against predetermined size constraints before processing, preventing memory access violations that could lead to information disclosure. The associated issue ID ALPS08017764 likely represents the internal tracking reference for the specific implementation changes required to remediate the vulnerability. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with T1005, which covers data from local system, and T1059, covering command and scripting interpreter, as it provides a method for extracting sensitive information that could be used for further exploitation. Organizations should prioritize patching this vulnerability as it represents a fundamental security weakness that could be leveraged by attackers to gain deeper system access or extract confidential information that could be used for credential theft or privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability's nature suggests it may be part of a broader class of memory safety issues that could potentially affect other components of the system where similar bounds checking mechanisms are absent.