CVE-2023-32835 is a vulnerability identified in multiple MediaTek SoCs (System on Chips) including MT6580, MT6731, MT6735, MT6737, MT6739, MT6753, MT6757 series, MT6761 through MT6791 series, MT6833 through MT6895 series, MT6983, MT8185, MT8321, MT8385, MT8666 through MT8675, MT8765 through MT8798, and others. These chips are widely used in a variety of Android devices, particularly smartphones running Android versions 11.0, 12.0, and 13.0. The vulnerability is due to a type confusion issue in the keyinstall component, which leads to possible memory corruption. This memory corruption can be exploited locally to achieve an elevation of privilege, allowing an attacker to gain System execution privileges. Notably, exploitation does not require any user interaction, but it does require the attacker to have some level of local access with existing privileges (PR:H in CVSS terms). The vulnerability is classified under CWE-843 (Type Confusion), which typically involves the program treating a piece of memory as a different type than it actually is, leading to undefined behavior and potential security breaches. The CVSS v3.1 score is 6.7 (medium severity), reflecting high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (all rated high), but with limited attack vector (local) and requiring high privileges to exploit. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patch links are provided in the data, though the issue is tracked internally by MediaTek (Patch ID: ALPS08157918). The vulnerability affects a broad range of MediaTek chipsets that power many mid-range and budget Android devices globally. The key risk is that a local attacker or malicious app with elevated privileges could leverage this flaw to gain full system control, potentially bypassing security controls and compromising device integrity and data confidentiality.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2023-32835 depends largely on the prevalence of MediaTek-powered Android devices within their operational environment. Many enterprises and government agencies use Android smartphones and tablets for communication, mobile workforce management, and secure access to corporate resources. If these devices incorporate affected MediaTek chipsets and run vulnerable Android versions, attackers with local access (e.g., through malicious apps, insider threats, or physical access) could escalate privileges to system level. This could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive corporate data, installation of persistent malware, or disruption of device availability. Given the vulnerability allows full system privileges, attackers could also tamper with security controls, intercept communications, or use compromised devices as pivot points for lateral movement within corporate networks. The lack of required user interaction increases risk, as exploitation can occur silently once local access is obtained. While no exploits are known in the wild yet, the broad device impact and potential for privilege escalation make this a significant threat vector, especially for sectors with high security requirements such as finance, critical infrastructure, and government. Additionally, the vulnerability affects devices running recent Android versions (11-13), which are commonly deployed in enterprise environments, increasing the likelihood of exposure.

1. Prioritize patching: Organizations should monitor MediaTek and device manufacturers for official patches addressing ALPS08157918 and apply firmware and OS updates promptly to affected devices. 2. Device inventory and risk assessment: Conduct an inventory of all Android devices in use, identifying those with MediaTek chipsets listed in the vulnerability and running Android 11-13. 3. Restrict local privilege escalation vectors: Enforce strict app installation policies, using Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to prevent installation of untrusted or unsigned applications that could exploit local vulnerabilities. 4. Limit physical access: Implement controls to prevent unauthorized physical access to devices, as local exploitation requires some level of device access. 5. Use endpoint protection: Deploy mobile endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools capable of detecting suspicious privilege escalation attempts or abnormal system behavior on Android devices. 6. Network segmentation: Isolate mobile devices from critical internal networks where possible to limit lateral movement if a device is compromised. 7. User awareness: Educate users on risks of installing apps from untrusted sources and the importance of timely updates. 8. Monitor for indicators of compromise: Although no known exploits exist, monitor device logs and network traffic for unusual activity indicative of privilege escalation attempts. 9. Collaborate with vendors: Engage with device manufacturers and MediaTek for timely vulnerability disclosures and patches. 10. Consider device replacement: For high-security environments, evaluate replacing devices with known vulnerable chipsets if patches are unavailable or delayed.