CVE-2025-20787 is a use-after-free vulnerability classified under CWE-416 affecting the display subsystem of multiple 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, and MT8796. These chipsets are integrated into a variety of Android devices running versions 14.0, 15.0, and 16.0. The vulnerability arises from improper handling of memory in the display component, leading to use-after-free conditions that cause memory corruption. An attacker with existing system privileges can exploit this flaw to escalate privileges locally, potentially gaining higher control over the device. Notably, exploitation does not require user interaction, which means that once system-level access is obtained, the attacker can leverage this vulnerability without further user involvement. The CVSS v3.1 base score of 6.7 reflects a medium severity, with high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, but requiring high privileges to exploit and no user interaction. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the vulnerability's presence in widely deployed chipsets makes it a significant concern. The patch is identified as ALPS10149879, but no direct patch links are currently provided. The vulnerability's exploitation could lead to unauthorized code execution, data leakage, or denial of service on affected devices.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-20787 can be substantial, particularly for those relying on mobile devices or embedded systems powered by affected MediaTek chipsets. The vulnerability enables local privilege escalation, which could allow attackers who have already compromised a device at the system level to gain further control, potentially bypassing security controls and accessing sensitive data. This can affect confidentiality by exposing private information, integrity by allowing unauthorized modifications, and availability by causing system instability or crashes. Sectors such as finance, healthcare, telecommunications, and government agencies that use Android devices with these chipsets are at higher risk. Additionally, IoT deployments using MediaTek hardware could be impacted, leading to broader operational disruptions. The lack of required user interaction for exploitation increases the risk in environments where devices are already partially compromised. Although no known exploits are currently active, the medium severity and broad chipset coverage necessitate proactive risk management to prevent escalation and lateral movement within networks.

To mitigate CVE-2025-20787, European organizations should prioritize the following actions: 1) Monitor MediaTek and device vendor advisories for the release of official patches corresponding to ALPS10149879 and apply them promptly to all affected devices. 2) Restrict system-level privileges to trusted administrators only, minimizing the risk that an attacker can gain the necessary access to exploit this vulnerability. 3) Implement strict device management policies, including mobile device management (MDM) solutions, to enforce security configurations and control application installations. 4) Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments on devices using MediaTek chipsets to detect potential compromises early. 5) Employ runtime protection and behavior monitoring on devices to detect anomalous activities indicative of exploitation attempts. 6) Educate users and administrators about the risks of privilege escalation vulnerabilities and the importance of maintaining updated software. 7) For IoT deployments, segment networks and apply strict access controls to limit the impact of any compromised devices. 8) Consider device replacement or firmware upgrades for legacy hardware that may not receive timely patches. These measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on privilege management, patch prioritization, and operational controls tailored to the vulnerability's characteristics.