CVE-2023-20850: In imgsys_cmdq, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing valid range checking

Routine

MEDIUM 6.5WATCHLISTDOWNGRADEDOWNGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2023-20850 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.5) affecting yocto, iot yocto, android. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

In imgsys_cmdq, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing valid range checking. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with System execution privileges needed. User interaction is needed for exploitation. Patch ID: ALPS07340433; Issue ID: ALPS07340381.

Why this priority

On your watchlist

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	6.5 (Medium)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	High
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	0.1% (top 99%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-787
Published	2023-09-04
Last modified	2026-06-17

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

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 05:31 UTCUpdated Record last modified

linuxfoundation yocto DOWNGRADE

Affected: 4.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 4.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 4.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison yocto sudo apt install yocto=<VERSION_BEFORE_4.0> sudo apt-mark hold yocto

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

dnf --showduplicates list yocto sudo dnf downgrade yocto-<VERSION_BEFORE_4.0> 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.

mediatek iot yocto DOWNGRADE

Affected: 23.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 23.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 23.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison iot-yocto sudo apt install iot-yocto=<VERSION_BEFORE_23.0> sudo apt-mark hold iot-yocto

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

dnf --showduplicates list iot-yocto sudo dnf downgrade iot-yocto-<VERSION_BEFORE_23.0> sudo dnf versionlock add iot-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: 11.0 · 12.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 11.0

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: 6.1

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-2023-20850?

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

Is CVE-2023-20850 being exploited?

CVE-2023-20850 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-2023-20850 affect?

CVE-2023-20850 affects yocto, iot yocto, android. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.5). In imgsys_cmdq, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing valid range checking. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with System execution privileges needed. User interaction is needed for exploitation. Patch ID:

How urgent is CVE-2023-20850?

Priority 28/100. On your watchlist

Software pages

Linux kernel vulnerabilities · Android vulnerabilities

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References

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