CVE-2026-20488 in MT6991
Summary
by MITRE • 08/03/2026
In display, there is a possible information disclosure due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to local information disclosure if a malicious actor has already obtained the System privilege. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. Patch ID: ALPS11004276; Issue ID: MSV-7757.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/03/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the display subsystem that stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms. The missing bounds check creates an exploitable condition where unauthorized data access can occur through improper memory boundary enforcement during display operations. The vulnerability specifically affects systems where the display driver or rendering component fails to validate array indices or buffer limits before processing graphical data, potentially allowing attackers to read beyond allocated memory regions and extract sensitive information from adjacent memory locations.
The technical implementation of this flaw demonstrates a classic buffer overread condition that falls under the CWE-129 category of Improper Validation of Array Index. When display operations process user-supplied or system-generated graphical data without proper bounds checking, the system becomes susceptible to information leakage through memory corruption patterns. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specific display inputs that trigger the buffer overread condition, potentially accessing kernel memory segments, credential storage areas, or other sensitive data structures that reside adjacent to the targeted display buffers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is particularly concerning as it requires only system-level privileges for exploitation, eliminating the need for additional attack vectors or user interaction. This makes the flaw especially dangerous in environments where privilege escalation has already occurred through other means, such as through previously compromised accounts or malware with elevated permissions. Once an attacker possesses system privileges, they can leverage this vulnerability to extract confidential information from the device's memory space, potentially including authentication tokens, encryption keys, or proprietary data stored within kernel memory regions.
The patch identified as ALPS11004276 addresses this issue by implementing proper bounds checking mechanisms within the display subsystem components. This remediation follows established security practices outlined in the ATT&CK framework under the T1003 technique of Credential Dumping, where attackers seek to extract sensitive information from system memory. The mitigation approach involves strengthening input validation procedures and ensuring that all display-related buffer operations include comprehensive bounds checking before any memory access occurs. Security professionals should prioritize deployment of this patch as it directly addresses a known exploitation vector that could lead to further compromise of affected systems.
Organizations should consider the broader implications of this vulnerability within their security posture, particularly in relation to privilege management and memory protection mechanisms. The absence of user interaction requirements makes this flaw more attractive to attackers who may already have achieved system-level access through other means. System administrators should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all instances where similar bounds checking deficiencies might exist in other subsystems, as the underlying architectural weakness could potentially manifest in additional components beyond just the display functionality. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of implementing robust memory safety controls in all system components, particularly those handling user input or system-generated data flows that require extensive processing and memory management operations.