CVE-2023-20696 Memory corruption in MT6880, MT6890, MT8167, MT8175, MT8185, MT8195, MT8321, MT8365, MT8385, MT8395, MT8666, MT8667, MT8673, MT8675, MT8765, MT8766, MT8768, MT8781, MT8786, MT8788, MT8789, MT8791, MT8791T, MT8797

Medium 6.7 Published 15 May 2023 Updated 23 Jan 2025

A missing bounds check in the MediaTek preloader allows local attackers with system privileges to escalate privileges via an out-of-bounds write.

Exploited in the wild: Not known
Login needed: An administrator
Attackable: Local or same network only
Victim action needed: Not needed
Fix: Available

What is CVE-2023-20696?

CVE-2023-20696 is a medium-severity memory corruption vulnerability in Google Android, published on 15 May 2023. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.

Official description

In preloader, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with System execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. Patch ID: ALPS07856356 / ALPS07874388 (For MT6880 and MT6890 only); Issue ID: ALPS07856356 / ALPS07874388 (For MT6880 and MT6890 only).

Weakness: CWE-787

Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-20696?

It affects 2 products.

Products include Google Android, Openwrt Openwrt.

How do I fix CVE-2023-20696?

Apply the vendor's patch.

Upgrade to the fixed version. Memory-safe languages, compiler hardening and fuzzing prevent most new cases. More about Memory corruption.

Is CVE-2023-20696 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-20696 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Public exploit code: 3 proofs of concept on GitHub.

All Google Android vulnerabilities

Sources

Also known as A-271788842, ASB-A-271788842, M-ALPS07856356.