CVE-2025-20745 is a use-after-free vulnerability classified under CWE-416 found in the apusys component of MediaTek chipsets MT2718, MT6989, MT6991, MT8370, MT8390, MT8395, MT8676, MT8678, and MT87920. These chipsets are integrated into various Android devices running versions 13.0 through 15.0. The vulnerability arises from improper memory management where a freed memory region is accessed, leading to potential memory corruption. This corruption can be exploited by an attacker who already possesses system-level privileges to escalate their privileges further, potentially gaining higher control over the device. The attack vector is local, requiring the attacker to have system privileges beforehand, and does not require any user interaction, making it stealthy once system access is obtained. The CVSS v3.1 score of 4.2 reflects a medium severity, with low attack complexity but requiring high privileges. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability by enabling privilege escalation, which could allow unauthorized access to sensitive data or disruption of device functionality. Although no public exploits are known, the presence of a patch (ALPS10095441) indicates that MediaTek has addressed the issue. The vulnerability affects a broad range of MediaTek chipsets widely deployed in mobile devices, emphasizing the need for timely updates. The issue was publicly disclosed in November 2025, with the vulnerability reserved in late 2024.

The primary impact of CVE-2025-20745 is local privilege escalation on devices using affected MediaTek chipsets running Android 13 to 15. If an attacker already has system-level privileges, they can exploit this use-after-free flaw to gain higher privileges, potentially leading to full device compromise. This can result in unauthorized access to sensitive information, modification or deletion of data, and disruption of device operations. The vulnerability affects confidentiality, integrity, and availability, though the initial requirement for system privileges limits the attack scope. However, in environments where attackers can gain system access through other means, this vulnerability can be chained to deepen control. Enterprises relying on Android devices with these chipsets, especially in sectors like telecommunications, finance, and government, face increased risk of targeted attacks. The lack of user interaction for exploitation increases the stealth and reliability of attacks once system access is obtained. The medium CVSS score reflects moderate risk but should not be underestimated given the potential for privilege escalation.

To mitigate CVE-2025-20745, organizations should prioritize applying the official patch ALPS10095441 provided by MediaTek or device manufacturers as soon as it becomes available. Until patches are deployed, enforcing strict access controls to prevent unauthorized system-level access is critical. Employing runtime protections such as memory corruption mitigations (e.g., Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR), Control Flow Integrity (CFI)) can reduce exploitation likelihood. Regularly auditing device privilege assignments and minimizing the number of applications or processes with system privileges will limit attack surface. Monitoring for unusual local privilege escalation attempts and implementing endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions can help detect exploitation attempts. Device manufacturers and enterprises should also ensure secure boot and verified boot mechanisms are enabled to prevent unauthorized firmware or OS modifications. Finally, educating users and administrators about the risks of granting system privileges and encouraging timely updates will further reduce exposure.