CVE-2023-20838: In imgsys, there is a possible out of bounds read due to a race condition

Routine

MEDIUM 4.0WATCHLISTDOWNGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2023-20838 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 4.0) affecting yocto, android, linux kernel. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

In imgsys, there is a possible out of bounds read due to a race condition. This could lead to local information disclosure with System execution privileges needed. User interaction is needed for exploitation. Patch ID: ALPS07326455; Issue ID: ALPS07326418.

Why this priority

On your watchlist

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	4.0 (Medium)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	High
Privileges needed	High
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	0.1% (top 100%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-125
Published	2023-09-04
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MediaTek, Inc. · Vendor: google · linux · linuxfoundation

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2023-09-04 03:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 05:30 UTCUpdated Record last modified

linuxfoundation yocto DOWNGRADE

Affected: 3.1 · 3.3 · 4.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 3.1

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy yocto || rpm -q yocto || yocto --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 3.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison yocto sudo apt install yocto=<VERSION_BEFORE_3.1> sudo apt-mark hold yocto

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list yocto sudo dnf downgrade yocto-<VERSION_BEFORE_3.1> sudo dnf versionlock add yocto

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

google android MITIGATE

Affected: 12.0 · 13.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 12.0

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

linux linux kernel MITIGATE

Affected: 4.19

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

Downgrade not recommended

This is a core system component: downgrading can break the OS. Apply the distro update or the vendor mitigation.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2023-20838?

yocto: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; android: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; linux kernel: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2023-20838 being exploited?

CVE-2023-20838 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2023-20838 affect?

CVE-2023-20838 affects yocto, android, linux kernel. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.0). In imgsys, there is a possible out of bounds read due to a race condition. This could lead to local information disclosure with System execution privileges needed. User interaction is needed for exploitation. Patch ID: ALPS07326455; Issue I

How urgent is CVE-2023-20838?

Priority 19/100. On your watchlist

Software pages

Linux kernel vulnerabilities · Android vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

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References

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