CVE-2024-20046
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes an integer overflow vulnerability in MediaTek battery management components that could allow local privilege escalation. Attackers with initial system-level access could exploit this to gain higher privileges without user interaction. This affects devices using vulnerable MediaTek chipsets.
💻 Affected Systems
- MediaTek chipset-based devices (smartphones, tablets, IoT devices)
📦 What is this software?
Android by Google
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with highest privileges, potentially leading to persistent backdoors or data exfiltration.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation enabling attackers to bypass security controls, install malware, or access restricted system resources.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper access controls and privilege separation are implemented, though the vulnerability still exists.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires system execution privileges initially. No public exploit code available as of advisory publication.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Patch ID: ALPS08485622
Vendor Advisory: https://corp.mediatek.com/product-security-bulletin/April-2024
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Contact device manufacturer for firmware updates. 2. Apply MediaTek-provided patch ALPS08485622. 3. Reboot device after patch installation. 4. Verify patch application through system logs.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict system privileges
androidLimit applications and users with system execution privileges to reduce attack surface
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls to limit who has system execution privileges
- Monitor for unusual privilege escalation attempts and system modifications
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check device chipset information and firmware version against MediaTek security bulletinsCheck Version:
Check device settings > About phone > Build number and chipset informationVerify Fix Applied:
Verify patch ID ALPS08485622 is applied in system logs or firmware version📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected privilege escalation attempts
- Battery service crashes or anomalies
- System process spawning with elevated privileges
Network Indicators:
- None - local exploitation only
SIEM Query:
Process creation events showing unexpected privilege escalation from battery-related services