CVE-2025-20775 is a critical double free vulnerability categorized under CWE-415 found in the display subsystem of a broad range of MediaTek System-on-Chips (SoCs), including MT6739 through MT8883 models. These chipsets are widely used in Android smartphones and tablets, particularly those running Android versions 14.0, 15.0, and 16.0. The vulnerability arises from improper memory management where a memory region is freed twice, leading to use-after-free conditions and potential memory corruption. This flaw can be exploited locally by an attacker who already possesses System-level privileges on the device, enabling escalation to higher privileges or arbitrary code execution within the system context. Notably, exploitation does not require any user interaction, increasing the risk of automated or stealthy attacks once initial access is obtained. The vulnerability was reserved in November 2024 and published in December 2025, with MediaTek assigning the issue ID MSV-4795 and patch ID ALPS10182914. Although no public exploits have been reported, the broad range of affected chipsets and Android versions suggests a significant attack surface. The absence of a CVSS score necessitates severity assessment based on impact and exploitability factors. The vulnerability compromises system integrity and potentially confidentiality by enabling privilege escalation. Given the complexity of exploitation requiring System privileges, the attack vector is local, but the lack of user interaction requirement raises the threat level. The scope is extensive due to the large number of affected MediaTek SoCs deployed globally. This vulnerability underscores the importance of timely patching and monitoring for privilege escalation attempts in Android devices using these chipsets.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-20775 could be substantial, especially for those relying on Android devices powered by affected MediaTek chipsets. The vulnerability allows local attackers with System privileges to escalate their access, potentially leading to full device compromise. This could facilitate unauthorized access to sensitive corporate data, interception of communications, or installation of persistent malware. In sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government, where mobile device security is critical, exploitation could undermine data confidentiality and integrity. Additionally, compromised devices could serve as entry points for lateral movement within corporate networks. The lack of user interaction for exploitation increases the risk of automated attacks or insider threats. Although no exploits are currently known in the wild, the widespread deployment of these chipsets in consumer and enterprise devices in Europe means the vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted attacks or malware campaigns. Organizations with bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policies or mobile device management (MDM) solutions should be particularly vigilant. Failure to address this vulnerability could lead to regulatory compliance issues under GDPR if personal data is exposed due to device compromise.

To mitigate CVE-2025-20775 effectively, European organizations should prioritize the following actions: 1) Deploy the official patches from MediaTek and device manufacturers as soon as they become available, ensuring all affected Android devices are updated to secure firmware versions. 2) Implement strict access controls and monitoring to limit the ability of users or applications to gain System-level privileges, reducing the initial attack surface. 3) Employ mobile device management (MDM) solutions to enforce security policies, monitor device integrity, and detect anomalous privilege escalation attempts. 4) Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments on mobile devices within the corporate environment. 5) Educate users and administrators about the risks of privilege escalation vulnerabilities and the importance of timely updates. 6) Where possible, restrict installation of untrusted applications and enforce application whitelisting to prevent malicious code execution. 7) Monitor security advisories from MediaTek and Android vendors for updates or new exploit reports. 8) Consider network segmentation and endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools that can identify suspicious activity originating from compromised mobile devices. These steps go beyond generic patching by focusing on reducing privilege escalation opportunities and improving detection capabilities.