CVE-2023-32865 in MT6761
Summary
by MITRE • 12/04/2023
In display drm, there is a possible out of bounds write due to an incorrect bounds check. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with System execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. Patch ID: ALPS07363456; Issue ID: ALPS07363456.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/22/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-32865 resides within the display drm subsystem of Android devices, representing a critical out-of-bounds write flaw that enables local privilege escalation. This issue affects the graphics driver model implementation where improper bounds checking allows malicious code to write data beyond allocated memory regions. The vulnerability specifically impacts the display drm component which manages graphics rendering and display output operations, making it a core element of the device's graphical user interface and multimedia processing capabilities. The flaw exists in the kernel-level graphics driver code that handles display-related operations and memory management for graphical content rendering.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the bounds checking mechanism that governs memory allocation for display operations. When processing graphical data or display commands, the system fails to properly validate array indices or buffer sizes before performing memory writes, creating opportunities for arbitrary memory corruption. This type of flaw falls under CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write, which is classified as a direct result of insufficient bounds checking in memory management operations. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the kernel level where system execution privileges are already required, yet the flawed bounds checking allows for potential exploitation that could elevate privileges to system level access. Attackers can leverage this weakness to execute arbitrary code with the highest possible system privileges, effectively bypassing normal security boundaries and gaining complete control over device operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-32865 extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it represents a fundamental weakness in the device's security architecture that could enable complete system compromise. Since no user interaction is required for exploitation, this vulnerability can be triggered automatically when the display subsystem processes normal graphical operations, making it particularly dangerous in real-world scenarios. The attack surface is broad as any application or service that interacts with the display drm subsystem could potentially exploit this flaw. The vulnerability affects devices running affected versions of Android where the display drm implementation has not been patched, creating a persistent risk for users who have not applied the necessary security updates. This type of local privilege escalation vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting legitimate credentials or privileges to gain system-level access through kernel-level vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate application of the vendor-provided patch identified by patch ID ALPS07363456 and issue ID ALPS07363456. Device manufacturers and users must ensure that all Android devices receive the specific kernel-level update that corrects the bounds checking implementation in the display drm subsystem. Security teams should implement monitoring for suspicious display-related kernel operations and establish incident response procedures for potential exploitation attempts. The patch addresses the root cause by implementing proper bounds validation that prevents memory writes beyond allocated buffer boundaries, thereby eliminating the possibility of out-of-bounds memory corruption. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as kernel address space layout randomization and memory protection mechanisms to further reduce the attack surface. Regular security assessments of kernel components and display subsystems should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities that could be exploited for privilege escalation or system compromise.