CVE-2024-20141 in MT6739
Summary
by MITRE • 02/03/2025
In V5 DA, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to local escalation of privilege, if an attacker has physical access to the device, with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is needed for exploitation. Patch ID: ALPS09291402; Issue ID: MSV-2073.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-20141 resides within the V5 DA component of a mobile device operating system, representing a critical security flaw that could enable local privilege escalation under specific conditions. This issue manifests as an out-of-bounds write condition that occurs due to the absence of proper bounds checking mechanisms within the affected code module. The vulnerability specifically impacts devices where the V5 DA service handles input validation and memory management operations, creating a potential attack vector that requires physical access to the target device for exploitation. The flaw's classification as a local privilege escalation vulnerability indicates that an attacker with physical access could leverage this weakness to gain elevated system privileges without requiring any additional execution privileges or network access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic buffer overflow scenario where memory operations exceed allocated boundaries, potentially allowing malicious code execution or system instability. The missing bounds check suggests that the V5 DA service processes user-provided input or configuration data without proper validation of array indices or memory allocation limits. This type of flaw typically occurs when developers fail to implement adequate input sanitization or when memory management routines lack proper boundary validation before writing data to memory regions. The vulnerability's designation as requiring user interaction for exploitation indicates that while physical access is necessary, additional user engagement is needed to trigger the malicious code path, potentially through specific input sequences or configuration changes that cause the vulnerable code path to execute.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-20141 extends beyond simple system instability, as it creates a pathway for attackers to escalate privileges locally on the device. This escalation capability represents a significant threat vector in environments where physical access to devices cannot be fully controlled or monitored. The vulnerability's patch ID ALPS09291402 and issue ID MSV-2073 indicate that this flaw was recognized and addressed through specific firmware updates, suggesting that the issue affects Android-based devices running specific versions of the Linux kernel or associated system services. The requirement for physical access limits the attack surface compared to network-based vulnerabilities but still poses substantial risk in scenarios where device security is compromised through theft, loss, or unauthorized physical access. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of array index bounds, and could potentially map to ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting local privilege escalation vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate deployment of the patch referenced as ALPS09291402, which specifically addresses the bounds checking deficiency in the V5 DA component. Device administrators should implement comprehensive security monitoring to detect any unusual system behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on memory allocation patterns and privilege escalation events. The vulnerability's requirement for physical access suggests that additional security measures such as device encryption, secure boot mechanisms, and access control policies should be strengthened to prevent unauthorized physical access. Organizations should also consider implementing device management policies that enforce automatic patch deployment and regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other system components. The mitigation approach should align with industry best practices for privilege escalation vulnerabilities, emphasizing both preventive measures through proper code validation and reactive monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts.