CVE-2024-20122 in MT6761
Summary
by MITRE • 11/04/2024
In vdec, there is a possible out of bounds read due to improper structure design. This could lead to local information disclosure with System execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. Patch ID: ALPS09008925; Issue ID: MSV-1572.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-20122 resides within the video decoder component known as vdec, where an improper structure design has created a potential out of bounds read condition. This flaw manifests in the manner in which the video decoding subsystem processes input data structures, specifically when handling malformed or unexpected video streams that may be encountered during normal operation or maliciously crafted content. The vulnerability represents a critical weakness in the memory management and input validation mechanisms of the video decoding engine, where insufficient bounds checking allows the system to read memory locations beyond the intended data boundaries. The issue is particularly concerning because it operates at the system level with execution privileges, meaning that an attacker who can influence the video decoding process can potentially access sensitive information stored in adjacent memory regions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of structure boundaries during video frame processing, where the vdec module fails to properly verify array indices or buffer limits before accessing memory locations. This design flaw allows for a scenario where an attacker can manipulate input video data to cause the decoder to read beyond allocated memory segments, potentially exposing system memory contents including kernel data, credential information, or other sensitive operational details. The out of bounds read condition can lead to information disclosure without requiring user interaction, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited automatically when video content is processed by the system. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it operates with system execution privileges, meaning that successful exploitation can reveal confidential information that might otherwise be protected by memory isolation mechanisms.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for systems that process video content from untrusted sources, including media servers, mobile devices, automotive infotainment systems, and any platform that relies on video decoding functionality. The local information disclosure threat means that an attacker could potentially extract sensitive data such as cryptographic keys, authentication tokens, or system configuration details that could be used for further attacks. The attack surface is broad since video decoding is a fundamental component in virtually all computing devices that handle multimedia content, making this vulnerability particularly widespread in scope. The absence of user interaction requirements for exploitation means that simply playing or processing affected video content could trigger the vulnerability, making it highly dangerous in environments where automated content processing occurs.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper bounds checking mechanisms within the vdec module, ensuring that all array accesses and memory operations are validated against defined structure limits. System administrators should prioritize applying the patch identified by ALPS09008925 and MSV-1572, which contains the necessary code modifications to address the improper structure design. Additionally, implementing input sanitization measures for video streams and enhancing memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries and address space layout randomization can provide additional defense in depth. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129 which describes improper validation of array index and CWE-787 which addresses out of bounds write/read conditions, and it could be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for process injection or T1068 for local privilege escalation depending on the exploitation path. Organizations should also consider monitoring for unusual memory access patterns and implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify potential exploitation attempts targeting video decoding components.