CVE-2022-32625 is a vulnerability identified in multiple MediaTek system-on-chip (SoC) models, specifically MT6761, MT6765, MT6768, MT6779, MT6781, MT6785, MT6789, MT6833, MT6853, MT6855, MT6873, MT6877, MT6879, MT6883, MT6885, MT6889, MT6893, MT6895, MT6983, MT8168, MT8365, MT8675, MT8766, MT8781, and MT8791. These SoCs are widely used in mobile devices running Android versions 11.0 and 12.0. The vulnerability arises from an out-of-bounds write in the display component due to an incorrect bounds check, classified under CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write). This flaw allows a local attacker with existing high privileges (System execution privileges) to escalate their privileges further without requiring any user interaction. The vulnerability does not require remote access or user interaction, but does require that the attacker already has some level of system execution privileges, which implies that it is not exploitable by a remote unauthenticated attacker. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.7, indicating a medium severity level, with impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (all rated high). The vulnerability could allow an attacker to overwrite memory out of bounds, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system compromise at a higher privilege level. No known exploits in the wild have been reported to date, and no public patches are linked in the provided data, though MediaTek has assigned an internal patch ID (ALPS07326216). The vulnerability affects a broad range of MediaTek SoCs commonly found in mid-range to budget smartphones, tablets, and some IoT devices, particularly those running Android 11 and 12. The flaw is significant because it can be exploited locally without user interaction, making it a critical step in multi-stage attacks where an attacker has already gained some foothold on the device.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-32625 primarily concerns mobile devices and embedded systems using affected MediaTek SoCs. Enterprises with bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policies or those deploying Android devices with these chipsets may face risks of privilege escalation attacks that could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive corporate data, interception of communications, or installation of persistent malware. The vulnerability could be leveraged by attackers who have already compromised a device at a lower privilege level to gain full system control, potentially bypassing security controls and enabling lateral movement or data exfiltration. Given the widespread use of MediaTek SoCs in consumer and enterprise mobile devices, this vulnerability could affect sectors such as telecommunications, finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure where mobile device security is paramount. Additionally, the lack of user interaction requirement increases the risk of automated exploitation in targeted attacks. However, since exploitation requires existing system execution privileges, the threat is more relevant in scenarios where devices are already compromised or where malicious insiders or apps have elevated privileges. The absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the potential for future exploitation. Organizations relying on Android devices with these chipsets should consider this vulnerability in their risk assessments, especially in environments with sensitive data or regulatory compliance requirements such as GDPR.

1. Prioritize patch management by monitoring MediaTek and device manufacturers for official firmware or OS updates addressing CVE-2022-32625. Deploy patches promptly once available. 2. Implement strict application whitelisting and privilege management on Android devices to limit the ability of apps to gain system execution privileges, reducing the attack surface for local privilege escalation. 3. Employ mobile threat defense (MTD) solutions that can detect anomalous behavior indicative of privilege escalation attempts or memory corruption exploits. 4. Enforce device integrity checks and use Android’s SafetyNet or equivalent attestation services to detect compromised devices before granting access to corporate resources. 5. Restrict installation of apps from untrusted sources and enforce the use of Google Play Protect or similar services to reduce the risk of malicious apps gaining initial foothold. 6. For enterprise environments, consider Mobile Device Management (MDM) policies that limit device functionality or isolate sensitive applications from the underlying OS to mitigate the impact of privilege escalation. 7. Educate users and administrators about the risks of rooting or jailbreaking devices, which can increase the likelihood of exploitation. 8. Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing on mobile device fleets to identify potential exploitation paths related to this vulnerability. 9. Monitor threat intelligence feeds for any emerging exploits targeting this vulnerability to respond rapidly.