CVE-2024-20148 is a critical security vulnerability classified as CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write) found in the WLAN Station Firmware (STA FW) of multiple MediaTek chipsets, including MT3603, MT6835, MT6878, MT6886, MT6897, MT7902, MT7920, MT7922, MT8518S, MT8532, MT8766, MT8768, MT8775, MT8796, and MT8798. These chipsets are widely used in Android devices (versions 13.0 through 15.0), SDK release 2.4 and earlier, and Yocto Linux distributions 3.3, 4.0, and 5.0. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation in the WLAN STA firmware, which leads to an out-of-bounds write condition. This flaw can be exploited remotely by an attacker within wireless range (proximal or adjacent) without requiring any authentication or user interaction. Successful exploitation allows the attacker to execute arbitrary code on the affected device with the privileges of the WLAN firmware, potentially compromising the device’s confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8, indicating critical severity, with attack vector network (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), and impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H). Although no known exploits have been reported in the wild yet, the vulnerability poses a significant risk due to the widespread use of affected chipsets in consumer and embedded devices. The vendor has assigned patch IDs WCNCR00389045 and ALPS09136494 to address this issue, and the vulnerability is tracked under issue ID MSV-1796. The flaw’s exploitation could lead to remote code execution, enabling attackers to take control of devices, intercept or manipulate data, disrupt device operations, or pivot within networks.

The impact of CVE-2024-20148 is severe and far-reaching for organizations worldwide using devices with affected MediaTek chipsets. Successful exploitation allows remote attackers within wireless range to execute arbitrary code without any authentication or user interaction, leading to full compromise of the device’s WLAN firmware. This can result in unauthorized access to sensitive data, manipulation or disruption of device functions, and potential lateral movement within corporate or critical infrastructure networks. The vulnerability affects a wide range of Android devices and embedded systems, including IoT devices, which are often deployed in enterprise, industrial, and consumer environments. The compromise of such devices can undermine network security, cause service outages, and expose organizations to data breaches or espionage. Given the critical CVSS score and the ease of exploitation, the threat is particularly significant in environments with dense wireless device usage, such as corporate campuses, public Wi-Fi hotspots, and industrial control systems. The lack of required user interaction increases the risk of automated or stealthy attacks. Organizations relying on MediaTek-based hardware must consider this vulnerability a high priority for remediation to prevent potential exploitation and associated operational and reputational damage.

To mitigate CVE-2024-20148 effectively, organizations should implement the following specific measures: 1) Immediately apply official patches released by MediaTek or device manufacturers addressing this vulnerability (refer to patch IDs WCNCR00389045 and ALPS09136494). 2) For devices where patches are not yet available, restrict wireless access by disabling WLAN interfaces when not in use or limiting connections to trusted networks only. 3) Implement network segmentation to isolate vulnerable devices from critical infrastructure and sensitive data repositories, reducing attack surface exposure. 4) Deploy wireless intrusion detection and prevention systems (WIDS/WIPS) to monitor for anomalous or suspicious wireless activity indicative of exploitation attempts. 5) Enforce strong wireless security protocols (WPA3 where possible) and disable legacy or insecure protocols that could facilitate exploitation. 6) Regularly audit and inventory devices using affected MediaTek chipsets to ensure comprehensive coverage of remediation efforts. 7) Educate IT and security teams about the vulnerability’s characteristics to enhance detection and response capabilities. 8) Monitor vendor advisories and threat intelligence feeds for emerging exploit reports or updated mitigation guidance. These targeted actions go beyond generic advice by focusing on wireless-specific controls and proactive device management to reduce the risk of exploitation in diverse operational environments.