CVE-2023-20736 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE record was assigned by MediaTek and was published on June 6, 2023. It involves a potential out-of-bounds write vulnerability in vcu that could result in local escalation of privilege without the need for user interaction. The vulnerability requires System execution privileges for exploitation.

Understanding CVE-2023-20736

This section will delve into the details of CVE-2023-20736, including its impact and technical aspects.

What is CVE-2023-20736?

CVE-2023-20736 is a security vulnerability in MediaTek's vcu that could allow an attacker to perform a local escalation of privilege without requiring user interaction. This vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized access with elevated privileges.

The Impact of CVE-2023-20736

The impact of CVE-2023-20736 is significant as it can lead to unauthorized local privilege escalation, potentially allowing attackers to gain access to sensitive information or perform malicious actions on affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-20736

In this section, we will explore the technical details of CVE-2023-20736, including the vulnerability description, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in vcu results from a race condition leading to a possible out-of-bounds write. This can be exploited by an attacker to escalate privileges locally without the need for user interaction.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects a range of MediaTek products, including MT6768, MT6769, MT6779, MT6781, MT6785, and others. The specific versions impacted include Android 12.0, 13.0, Yocto 4.0, and Iot-Yocto 22.2.

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploitation of CVE-2023-20736 does not require user interaction and can be leveraged by attackers to gain elevated privileges on vulnerable systems.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-20736 and mitigate its impact, certain immediate steps, long-term security practices, and patching solutions are crucial.

Immediate Steps to Take

It is recommended to implement security updates provided by MediaTek to address the vulnerability promptly. Additionally, restricting system access and monitoring for any suspicious activities can help mitigate risks.

Long-Term Security Practices

In the long term, organizations should prioritize regular security assessments, patch management, and user awareness training to enhance overall security posture and prevent similar vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Refer to the security bulletin issued by MediaTek for specific patch details and instructions on how to secure affected systems against CVE-2023-20736. Regularly applying security patches and updates is essential to protect against known vulnerabilities and enhance system security.