CVE-2025-20780 is a use-after-free vulnerability (CWE-416) identified in the display subsystem of a broad range of MediaTek System on Chips (SoCs), including MT6739, MT6761, MT6765, MT6768, MT6781, MT6789, and many others, affecting Android versions 15.0 and 16.0. The vulnerability arises from improper memory management where a freed memory region is accessed again, leading to memory corruption. This flaw can be exploited locally by an attacker who already possesses System privileges on the device, enabling escalation to higher privileges or execution of arbitrary code within the display driver context. The exploitation does not require any user interaction, which could facilitate automated attacks or exploitation in environments where user engagement is limited. The vulnerability could compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected device by allowing attackers to manipulate display functions or escalate privileges, potentially bypassing security controls. Although no public exploits or patches have been released yet, MediaTek has acknowledged the issue (Patch ID: ALPS10184061; Issue ID: MSV-4712). The vulnerability's presence in widely deployed MediaTek chipsets used in many consumer and enterprise mobile devices underscores the importance of timely remediation. The lack of a CVSS score necessitates an independent severity assessment based on the technical details and potential impact.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-20780 could be significant, especially for those relying on mobile devices powered by affected MediaTek chipsets. The vulnerability enables local privilege escalation, which could be leveraged by attackers who have already compromised a device to gain deeper control, potentially leading to data breaches, unauthorized access to sensitive information, or disruption of device functionality. In sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government, where mobile device security is critical, exploitation could undermine compliance with data protection regulations like GDPR. The absence of user interaction requirement increases the risk of stealthy attacks, including automated malware propagation within corporate environments. Additionally, organizations deploying mobile device management (MDM) solutions on affected devices might face challenges in securing endpoints if attackers exploit this flaw to bypass security policies. The broad range of affected chipsets means that many consumer and enterprise devices in Europe could be vulnerable, amplifying the potential attack surface. Without timely patching, attackers could develop exploits to target these devices, leading to operational disruptions and reputational damage.

1. Immediate identification and inventory of all mobile devices within the organization using affected MediaTek chipsets and running Android 15.0 or 16.0. 2. Monitor vendor advisories from MediaTek and device manufacturers for official patches or firmware updates addressing CVE-2025-20780 and apply them promptly once available. 3. Implement strict access controls to limit local system-level privileges on mobile devices, reducing the likelihood that an attacker can reach the prerequisite privilege level for exploitation. 4. Employ mobile threat defense (MTD) solutions capable of detecting anomalous behavior indicative of privilege escalation or memory corruption exploits. 5. Enforce device encryption and secure boot mechanisms to mitigate the impact of potential privilege escalations. 6. Educate users and administrators on the risks of installing untrusted applications or rooting devices, which could facilitate privilege escalation. 7. Where possible, restrict installation of applications to trusted sources and use application whitelisting to reduce exposure. 8. Regularly audit device security posture and conduct penetration testing focusing on local privilege escalation vectors. 9. Prepare incident response plans specifically addressing exploitation of local vulnerabilities on mobile devices. 10. Collaborate with device vendors and carriers to accelerate patch deployment and verify update integrity.