CVE-2024-20099 in MT6768
Summary
by MITRE • 10/07/2024
In power, 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: ALPS08997492; Issue ID: MSV-1625.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/26/2025
This vulnerability resides within the power management subsystem of a system where an out-of-bounds write condition occurs due to insufficient bounds checking mechanisms. The flaw represents a critical security weakness that allows for local privilege escalation, requiring only system execution privileges to exploit successfully. The absence of proper input validation and memory boundary checks creates an opportunity for malicious code execution that can elevate user privileges to system level access. This vulnerability specifically affects the power management component, which typically operates with elevated privileges to control system power states and hardware resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from a missing bounds check during memory operations within the power management service. When processing power-related commands or configuration data, the system fails to validate array indices or buffer limits before writing data, potentially allowing an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This type of flaw commonly maps to CWE-787: Out-of-bounds Write within the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, which specifically addresses situations where software writes to memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require user interaction, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered automatically through system operations or malicious input to the power management service.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for system compromise as local attackers with basic system execution privileges can leverage it to gain full system control. The privilege escalation occurs without requiring additional user interaction, which means that any process running with system execution privileges could potentially exploit this flaw. This creates a dangerous attack surface where even seemingly benign system processes could serve as entry points for more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability essentially provides a pathway for attackers to bypass normal access controls and execute arbitrary code with the highest system privileges, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The mitigation strategy for this vulnerability involves applying the provided patch with ID ALPS08997492 which addresses the missing bounds check in the power management subsystem. Organizations should prioritize patch deployment across all affected systems to prevent exploitation. Additionally, system administrators should implement monitoring for unusual power management activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, which describes methods attackers use to escalate privileges through software vulnerabilities. Security teams should also consider implementing process isolation for power management services and monitoring for unauthorized memory modifications in system-level processes. Regular vulnerability assessments should include verification of proper bounds checking in all system components, particularly those handling hardware interaction and system-level operations. The patch addresses the root cause by implementing proper boundary validation before memory writes occur, preventing the out-of-bounds conditions that enable privilege escalation.