CVE-2025-20775 is a use-after-free (CWE-416) vulnerability found in the display subsystem of a broad range of MediaTek chipsets, including MT6739 through MT8883 series, which power many Android devices. The flaw arises from improper memory management where freed memory is accessed again, leading to memory corruption. This vulnerability can be exploited locally by an attacker who already has System privileges on the device, allowing them to escalate privileges further, potentially gaining higher control over the system. The exploit does not require any user interaction, increasing the risk in environments where attackers have some level of access. The vulnerability affects Android versions 14.0, 15.0, and 16.0, which are recent and upcoming releases, indicating a forward-looking security concern. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.7 (medium), with vector AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, meaning the attack requires local access with high privileges but can cause high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Although no known exploits are reported in the wild, the broad chipset coverage and severity necessitate timely patching. The issue was reserved in November 2024 and published in December 2025, with MediaTek assigning the patch ID ALPS10182914. The vulnerability is particularly critical in environments where devices are shared or multi-user, as privilege escalation could lead to unauthorized access or control.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-20775 is significant in sectors relying on Android devices powered by MediaTek chipsets, including mobile workforce, IoT deployments, and embedded systems. Privilege escalation can allow attackers to bypass security controls, access sensitive data, manipulate device functions, or disrupt operations. This is especially critical in industries such as finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure where device integrity and confidentiality are paramount. The vulnerability could be exploited by insiders or malware that has already gained System-level access, amplifying the risk of lateral movement and persistent compromise. Given the widespread use of MediaTek chipsets in affordable smartphones and IoT devices, the attack surface is large. Organizations with Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies or unmanaged devices face increased risk. The lack of user interaction requirement means automated or stealthy attacks are possible once initial access is obtained. Failure to patch could lead to data breaches, service disruptions, and reputational damage.

1. Apply official patches from MediaTek or device manufacturers as soon as they become available to address the use-after-free vulnerability. 2. Restrict System-level privileges on devices to trusted applications and users only, minimizing the chance of an attacker obtaining the required privilege level. 3. Employ mobile device management (MDM) solutions to enforce security policies, monitor device integrity, and ensure timely updates. 4. Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments on Android devices within the organization to detect potential exploitation attempts. 5. Implement application whitelisting and sandboxing to limit the impact of compromised applications. 6. Educate users and administrators about the risks of privilege escalation vulnerabilities and the importance of patch management. 7. Monitor logs and system behavior for signs of abnormal privilege escalations or memory corruption events. 8. For IoT deployments, isolate vulnerable devices on segmented networks to reduce lateral movement risk. 9. Collaborate with vendors to verify patch deployment and device security posture. 10. Consider deploying endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools capable of identifying exploitation techniques related to use-after-free vulnerabilities.