CVE-2025-20773 is a use-after-free vulnerability categorized under CWE-416, affecting the display subsystem of numerous MediaTek chipsets including MT2718, MT6739, MT6761, MT6765, MT6768, MT6781, MT6789, MT6833, MT6835, MT6853, MT6855, MT6877, MT6878, MT6879, MT6883, MT6885, MT6886, MT6889, MT6893, MT6895, MT6897, MT6899, MT6983, MT6985, MT6989, MT6991, MT8196, MT8676, MT8678, MT8792, and MT8793. These chipsets are integrated into Android devices running versions 14.0, 15.0, and 16.0. The vulnerability arises from improper memory management where freed memory is accessed, leading to memory corruption. This can be exploited locally by an attacker who already possesses system-level privileges to escalate their privileges further, potentially gaining higher control over the device. Notably, exploitation does not require any user interaction, increasing the risk in environments where system privileges might be compromised. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected devices, as indicated by the CVSS vector (AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H) and a score of 6.7. MediaTek has acknowledged the issue and assigned patch ID ALPS10196993, though no public exploit code or widespread exploitation has been reported to date. The broad range of affected chipsets suggests a wide footprint across many consumer and industrial devices, especially smartphones and IoT products using MediaTek SoCs.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk primarily in environments where devices with affected MediaTek chipsets are deployed. Since exploitation requires prior system-level access, the vulnerability mainly facilitates privilege escalation, enabling attackers to deepen their foothold and potentially bypass security controls. This can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, manipulation of device functions, or denial of service through memory corruption. Sectors relying heavily on mobile communications, embedded systems, or IoT devices—such as telecommunications, manufacturing, healthcare, and critical infrastructure—may be particularly vulnerable. The widespread use of MediaTek chipsets in mid-range and budget smartphones across Europe means that employees’ mobile devices could be a vector for lateral movement or targeted attacks. Additionally, embedded devices in industrial or consumer settings could be compromised, affecting operational continuity and data integrity. The absence of user interaction for exploitation increases the risk of stealthy attacks once system privileges are obtained.

To mitigate this vulnerability effectively, European organizations should prioritize the following actions: 1) Deploy the official patches from MediaTek (patch ID ALPS10196993) as soon as they become available for affected devices and firmware. 2) Implement strict access controls to limit system-level privileges on devices, reducing the likelihood that an attacker can exploit this vulnerability. 3) Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring for unusual local privilege escalation attempts or memory corruption indicators. 4) Conduct thorough inventory and asset management to identify devices using affected MediaTek chipsets and Android versions 14.0 to 16.0. 5) For IoT and embedded systems, ensure firmware updates are applied and consider network segmentation to isolate vulnerable devices. 6) Educate IT and security teams about this vulnerability to recognize potential exploitation signs and respond promptly. 7) Where possible, restrict installation of untrusted applications or code that could lead to initial system privilege compromise, thereby preventing the prerequisite condition for exploitation. 8) Collaborate with device vendors and service providers to confirm patch availability and deployment status.