CVE-2025-20660 is a medium-severity vulnerability classified as CWE-125 (Out-of-bounds Read) found in the PlayReady Trusted Application (TA) component of MediaTek's MT9972 chipset. The vulnerability stems from a missing bounds check in the code, which allows an attacker with System-level privileges on affected Android devices (versions 12.0 to 14.0) to perform an out-of-bounds read. This flaw can lead to local privilege escalation, enabling the attacker to gain higher privileges or access sensitive information beyond intended boundaries. Exploitation does not require user interaction but does require that the attacker already has System privileges, limiting the initial attack vector to scenarios where the attacker has some foothold on the device. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability, as it can expose sensitive data and potentially destabilize the system. The CVSS v3.1 score is 6.7, reflecting a medium severity with local attack vector, low attack complexity, high privileges required, and no user interaction. No public exploits are known at this time. The vendor has assigned a patch ID (DTV04436357) and issue ID (MSV-3186), indicating a patch is available or forthcoming. The affected product, MediaTek MT9972, is commonly integrated into various Android devices, particularly in mid-range smartphones and tablets. The vulnerability's presence in PlayReady TA, a component related to digital rights management, may also have implications for content protection mechanisms.

The primary impact of CVE-2025-20660 is local privilege escalation on devices using MediaTek MT9972 chipsets running Android 12.0 to 14.0. An attacker who has already obtained System-level privileges can exploit this vulnerability to further escalate privileges, potentially gaining root-level access or bypassing security controls. This can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, modification or corruption of system files, and disruption of device functionality. The vulnerability affects confidentiality by exposing data beyond intended boundaries, integrity by allowing unauthorized modifications, and availability by potentially causing system instability or crashes. While exploitation requires prior System privileges, the ease of exploitation is low complexity and does not require user interaction, increasing risk in environments where attackers have partial control. Organizations relying on devices with this chipset may face risks of data breaches, unauthorized control, and compromised digital rights management, impacting user privacy and device security.

To mitigate CVE-2025-20660, organizations should prioritize applying the official patch identified by MediaTek (Patch ID: DTV04436357) as soon as it becomes available. Until patched, restrict access to devices running affected MediaTek MT9972 chipsets to trusted users only, minimizing the risk of attackers obtaining System privileges. Implement strict privilege separation and monitoring to detect any unauthorized elevation attempts. Employ runtime protections such as Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) and Control Flow Integrity (CFI) to reduce exploitation success. Regularly audit and harden device configurations to limit the attack surface, including disabling unnecessary services and enforcing strong authentication mechanisms. For enterprises managing fleets of Android devices, use Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to enforce timely updates and monitor device integrity. Additionally, educate users and administrators about the risks of privilege escalation vulnerabilities and the importance of applying security updates promptly.