CVE-2023-20843 in MT6895
Summary
by MITRE • 09/04/2023
In imgsys_cmdq, there is a possible out of bounds read due to a missing valid range checking. This could lead to local information disclosure with System execution privileges needed. User interaction is needed for exploitation. Patch ID: ALPS07340119; Issue ID: ALPS07340119.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/29/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-20843 resides within the imgsys_cmdq component of a mobile operating system, specifically affecting Android-based devices. This issue represents a classic out-of-bounds read condition that occurs when the system fails to validate input parameters before processing them. The imgsys_cmdq module is responsible for command queue management within the image processing subsystem, handling operations that control image capture, processing, and display functions. The vulnerability manifests when the system receives malformed input data through command queue operations without proper validation of the data ranges, creating an opportunity for unauthorized data access.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient bounds checking mechanisms within the imgsys_cmdq processing logic. When commands are submitted to the queue, the system should validate that all input parameters fall within expected ranges before proceeding with execution. However, in this case, the validation checks are either missing or incomplete, allowing attackers to craft specially crafted input that references memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. This condition creates a scenario where the system reads data from adjacent memory regions, potentially exposing sensitive information stored in those locations. The vulnerability requires system execution privileges to exploit successfully, indicating that it operates at a privileged level within the kernel or system services, and additionally requires user interaction to trigger the vulnerable code path.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can potentially expose sensitive data such as cryptographic keys, user credentials, or other confidential information stored in memory. Attackers who can successfully exploit this vulnerability may gain access to data that should remain protected, potentially leading to further compromise of the device or network access. The requirement for user interaction suggests that exploitation typically occurs through social engineering or phishing techniques where users are induced to perform specific actions that trigger the vulnerable code path. This could involve installing malicious applications or interacting with specially crafted content that causes the system to process malformed commands through the imgsys_cmdq module.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and bounds checking mechanisms within the imgsys_cmdq component. The patch ALPS07340119 addresses the issue by adding proper range validation checks to ensure all input parameters are within acceptable limits before processing. Organizations should prioritize applying the vendor-provided patch immediately and implement monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting policies and user behavior monitoring to identify unusual patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of array index, and could potentially be leveraged as part of a broader attack chain under the ATT&CK framework category of privilege escalation or information gathering techniques. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in system security and highlights how seemingly minor oversights in code can create significant security risks, particularly within kernel-level components that handle sensitive system operations.