CVE-2024-20097 in MT6761
Summary
by MITRE • 10/07/2024
In vdec, there is a possible out of bounds read 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: ALPS09028313; Issue ID: MSV-1630.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-20097 resides within the video decoder component known as vdec, representing a critical security flaw that could potentially compromise system integrity and confidentiality. This issue manifests as an out of bounds read condition that occurs when the system fails to properly validate input data boundaries before processing. The vulnerability specifically affects the video decoding subsystem where insufficient bounds checking allows for memory access beyond allocated buffers, creating a potential attack surface for malicious actors seeking to extract sensitive information from the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from a fundamental lack of input validation within the video decoder's processing logic. When the vdec component receives video data streams, it fails to perform adequate boundary checks on the data length or structure before attempting to read from memory locations. This absence of proper validation creates a scenario where an attacker could craft specially malformed video content that triggers the out of bounds read condition. The flaw operates at a low level within the system's memory management, where the decoder's pointer arithmetic or array indexing operations exceed valid memory boundaries, potentially exposing sensitive data stored in adjacent memory locations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it requires system execution privileges for exploitation, indicating that the attack vector likely involves an attacker with elevated access rights or a compromised system component. The fact that user interaction is not required for exploitation makes this vulnerability particularly concerning from a security perspective, as it can be leveraged automatically without requiring social engineering or user engagement. This characteristic aligns with attack patterns described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under techniques related to privilege escalation and credential access, where adversaries can exploit system-level vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information.
The vulnerability's classification as an information disclosure issue places it within the scope of CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of length of input data, and CWE-131, which covers improper handling of buffer boundaries. These weaknesses represent fundamental flaws in input validation and memory management that have been consistently identified as critical threats in software security assessments. The patch identifier ALPS09028313 and issue reference MSV-1630 indicate that this vulnerability has been properly recognized and addressed by the vendor, suggesting that the fix likely involves implementing proper bounds checking mechanisms and input validation routines within the vdec component.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patch deployment as the primary remediation measure, ensuring that all affected systems receive the vendor-provided fix. Organizations should also implement monitoring protocols to detect potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability, particularly focusing on anomalous memory access patterns or unusual video processing activities. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected vdec component across their infrastructure, given that this vulnerability could potentially affect various multimedia processing applications and devices. The implementation of additional defensive measures such as memory protection mechanisms and runtime application control can provide layered protection against exploitation attempts, while regular security audits should verify that proper input validation has been implemented throughout the video processing pipeline to prevent similar issues from emerging in the future.