CVE-2024-20092 in MT6761
Summary
by MITRE • 10/07/2024
In vdec, 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: ALPS09028313; Issue ID: MSV-1700.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/26/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-20092 resides within the video decoder component known as vdec, representing a critical security flaw that could enable unauthorized privilege escalation. This issue manifests as an out-of-bounds write condition that occurs when the system fails to perform adequate bounds checking during video decoding operations. The vulnerability specifically impacts the vdec module which handles video decompression and rendering processes, making it a prime target for exploitation given its essential role in multimedia processing functions. The absence of proper input validation creates a pathway for malicious code to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially compromising system integrity and executing arbitrary code with elevated privileges. This flaw requires system execution privileges for exploitation but does not necessitate user interaction, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered automatically during normal video playback operations. The vulnerability has been assigned a patch identifier ALPS09028313 and is catalogued under the issue ID MSV-1700, indicating its classification within the Android platform security framework.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking mechanisms within the vdec subsystem's memory management routines. When processing video streams, the decoder fails to validate the size and boundaries of data structures before writing to memory locations, creating opportunities for buffer overflow conditions. This flaw aligns with CWE-787 which specifically addresses out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities in software systems. The memory corruption occurs during the handling of video frame data where the system allocates memory buffers based on expected parameters without proper verification of actual data boundaries. Attackers can exploit this by crafting specially malformed video content that causes the decoder to write beyond allocated memory regions, potentially overwriting critical system structures or executable code segments. The vulnerability's exploitation path follows the ATT&CK technique T1068 which describes privilege escalation through local system exploits, where the attacker leverages existing system privileges to gain higher-level access. The lack of user interaction requirement means that this vulnerability can be exploited through automated means, making it particularly concerning for mobile and embedded systems where users may not be aware of the ongoing exploitation.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-20092 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it represents a fundamental weakness in the system's memory safety mechanisms. Successful exploitation could allow an attacker to gain full system control, potentially enabling persistent access to device resources, data exfiltration, and further lateral movement within networked environments. The vulnerability affects devices running the affected software versions where the vdec component is utilized for video processing, which includes smartphones, tablets, and other multimedia-enabled devices. The local escalation of privilege means that an attacker who has already gained access to a user account could leverage this vulnerability to obtain root-level system access, effectively compromising the entire device. This creates a significant risk for enterprise environments where mobile devices may contain sensitive corporate data, and for personal devices where users store private information. The vulnerability's presence in the vdec module also suggests potential impacts on multimedia applications, streaming services, and any software that relies on video decoding capabilities, as the exploit could be triggered through normal video playback activities. The security implications extend to the broader Android ecosystem, as this flaw could potentially be used as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks targeting other system components.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-20092 should prioritize immediate patch deployment through the Android security update process, as the patch identifier ALPS09028313 indicates a specific fix has been developed for this vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring of affected systems to detect potential exploitation attempts and ensure all devices receive the security update as soon as possible. The fix likely involves implementing proper bounds checking mechanisms within the vdec module to validate all memory operations before execution, preventing the out-of-bounds write conditions that lead to privilege escalation. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict video content sources and monitor for unusual video processing activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification as a local privilege escalation issue means that additional defense-in-depth measures should be considered, including regular system integrity checks, monitoring of system logs for suspicious privilege escalation activities, and implementation of mobile device management policies that enforce security updates. Organizations should also conduct vulnerability assessments to identify other potential memory safety issues within similar components and establish incident response procedures specifically designed to address local privilege escalation attacks. The ATT&CK framework suggests that organizations should implement detection measures for techniques such as T1068 and T1059, which cover privilege escalation and command execution, to provide early warning of potential exploitation attempts. Given the nature of the vulnerability, it is crucial to maintain up-to-date threat intelligence feeds that specifically monitor for exploits targeting the vdec module and related video processing components.