CVE-2023-20851 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This is an informative guide about CVE-2023-20851, a security vulnerability identified and published on September 4, 2023, by MediaTek.

Understanding CVE-2023-20851

CVE-2023-20851 refers to a potential out-of-bounds read vulnerability within an stc component. This vulnerability arises due to a race condition and could potentially enable a local attacker to escalate privileges on the affected system. Exploiting this vulnerability may require user interaction.

What is CVE-2023-20851?

The CVE-2023-20851 vulnerability is categorized as an "Elevation of Privilege" issue. It could allow a malicious actor to gain elevated privileges on the system by exploiting the race condition in the stc component.

The Impact of CVE-2023-20851

If successfully exploited, this vulnerability could lead to a local escalation of privileges on the affected system. Attackers with malicious intent could leverage this vulnerability to execute code with elevated privileges, potentially compromising the system's security and integrity.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-20851

The following technical details outline the specifics of CVE-2023-20851:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in stc could result in an out-of-bounds read due to a race condition, potentially leading to privilege escalation. Exploiting this flaw requires privileged local access and user interaction.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects MediaTek's MT8188 product running on Android versions 11.0 and 13.0. Systems with these configurations may be vulnerable to exploitation unless appropriate mitigation measures are implemented.

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit CVE-2023-20851, an attacker would need to leverage the race condition in the stc component, requiring user interaction for successful privilege escalation. By taking advantage of this flaw, an attacker could execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.

Mitigation and Prevention

Mitigating CVE-2023-20851 involves implementing immediate steps to reduce the risk of exploitation and adopting long-term security practices to enhance overall system security.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the provided patch (Patch ID: ALPS08048635) from MediaTek to address the CVE-2023-20851 vulnerability promptly.
Monitor system activity for any signs of unauthorized privilege escalation or suspicious behavior.
Educate users on safe computing practices to minimize the risk of social engineering attacks that could exploit this vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch software to ensure that known vulnerabilities are addressed promptly.
Implement access controls and least privilege principles to limit the impact of potential privilege escalation attacks.
Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify and mitigate security weaknesses proactively.

Patching and Updates

Visit MediaTek's Product Security Bulletin for September 2023 to access the necessary information and resources for patching and securing systems affected by CVE-2023-20851.