CVE-2024-20118
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in MediaTek's MMS component allows an attacker to write beyond allocated memory boundaries due to incorrect bounds checking. It enables local privilege escalation to System privileges without requiring user interaction. Affects devices using vulnerable MediaTek chipsets with the MMS component.
💻 Affected Systems
- MediaTek chipsets with MMS component
📦 What is this software?
Android by Google
Android by Google
Android by Google
Android by Google
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full system compromise allowing attacker to execute arbitrary code with System privileges, potentially gaining persistent access to the device.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation allowing malware or malicious apps to gain elevated System privileges for further exploitation.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper application sandboxing and privilege separation are enforced, though System access remains possible.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires local access and System execution privileges to exploit. No public exploit code available as of advisory date.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Patch ID: ALPS09062392
Vendor Advisory: https://corp.mediatek.com/product-security-bulletin/November-2024
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Contact device manufacturer for firmware updates. 2. Apply MediaTek-provided patch ALPS09062392. 3. Update device firmware to latest version containing the fix. 4. Reboot device after update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable unnecessary MMS functionality
androidRestrict MMS component usage if not required for device operation
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict application sandboxing and privilege separation
- Monitor for suspicious privilege escalation attempts and restrict local access
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check device chipset information and firmware version against MediaTek security bulletin. Contact device manufacturer for vulnerability status.Check Version:
Device-specific commands vary by manufacturer. Typically: Settings > About Phone > Build Number or via adb shell getprop ro.build.fingerprintVerify Fix Applied:
Verify firmware version includes patch ALPS09062392. Check with device manufacturer that latest security updates are applied.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected privilege escalation attempts
- MMS component crash logs
- System process anomalies
Network Indicators:
- None - local exploitation only
SIEM Query:
Search for: 'MMS component crash' OR 'privilege escalation' OR 'out of bounds write' in system logs