CVE-2022-32612 is an elevation of privilege vulnerability found in multiple MediaTek SoCs (System on Chips), specifically models MT6762, MT6768, MT6769, MT6779, MT6781, MT6785, MT6789, MT6833, MT6853, MT6853T, MT6855, MT6873, MT6875, MT6877, MT6879, MT6883, MT6885, MT6889, MT6891, MT6893, MT6895, MT6983, MT8168, MT8185, MT8365, MT8696, MT8768, MT8786, MT8789, MT8791, MT8797, and MT8798. These chips are commonly integrated into Android devices running versions 11.0, 12.0, and 13.0. The vulnerability arises from a use-after-free condition within the Video Codec Unit (vcu) component caused by a race condition (CWE-362). This flaw allows a local attacker with existing high privileges (System execution privileges) to escalate their privileges further without requiring any user interaction. The race condition leads to improper handling of memory, which can be exploited to execute arbitrary code or gain unauthorized elevated access on the device. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.4, indicating a medium severity level, with the vector AV:L/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. This means the attack requires local access with high privileges and high attack complexity but no user interaction, and successful exploitation impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability severely. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and MediaTek has assigned a patch ID (ALPS07203500) to address this issue. The vulnerability affects a broad range of MediaTek chipsets widely used in mid-range and budget Android smartphones, tablets, and IoT devices. The root cause being a race condition in the vcu suggests that multimedia processing components are involved, which are critical for video encoding/decoding operations. Exploitation could allow malicious apps or processes to gain system-level control, bypassing Android’s security sandbox and potentially compromising the entire device.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-32612 can be significant, especially for enterprises relying on Android devices powered by MediaTek chipsets for business operations, mobile workforce, or IoT deployments. Successful exploitation could lead to full device compromise, allowing attackers to access sensitive corporate data, intercept communications, install persistent malware, or pivot into internal networks. The vulnerability’s local attack vector and requirement for high privileges mean that initial access must already be established, possibly through other vulnerabilities or social engineering. However, once exploited, it can bypass Android’s privilege separation and security controls, undermining device integrity and confidentiality. This poses risks for sectors with high data sensitivity such as finance, healthcare, and government agencies. Additionally, the widespread use of MediaTek chips in consumer devices increases the risk of supply chain attacks or targeted espionage campaigns against European users. The lack of user interaction requirement facilitates stealthy exploitation by malicious apps or compromised system components. The vulnerability also threatens availability by enabling denial-of-service conditions or persistent system instability. Overall, the threat could degrade trust in mobile device security and disrupt critical business functions relying on mobile endpoints.

1. Immediate deployment of the official MediaTek patch (ALPS07203500) is critical. Organizations should coordinate with device manufacturers and mobile carriers to ensure timely firmware and OS updates on all affected devices. 2. Implement strict application whitelisting and privilege management on Android devices to limit installation and execution of untrusted or unnecessary apps that could attempt local privilege escalation. 3. Employ Mobile Threat Defense (MTD) solutions that monitor for suspicious behavior indicative of exploitation attempts targeting system components like the vcu. 4. Enforce strong endpoint security policies including device encryption, secure boot, and regular integrity checks to detect unauthorized modifications. 5. For enterprise IoT deployments using MediaTek chipsets, isolate these devices on segmented networks with strict access controls to limit lateral movement if compromised. 6. Conduct regular security awareness training for users to reduce risk of initial compromise vectors that could lead to local privilege escalation. 7. Monitor vendor advisories and threat intelligence feeds for any emerging exploit code or attack campaigns targeting this vulnerability to respond rapidly. 8. Where possible, consider device replacement or upgrade strategies for high-risk environments if patches are delayed or unavailable. These mitigations go beyond generic advice by focusing on patch management coordination, advanced endpoint protections, network segmentation, and operational security tailored to the nature of this vulnerability and affected platforms.