CVE-2025-20795 is an out-of-bounds write vulnerability classified under CWE-787, affecting a broad spectrum of MediaTek chipsets including MT2718, MT6580, MT6739, MT6761, and many others. The flaw exists in the KeyInstall component, where a missing bounds check allows memory corruption through out-of-bounds writes. This vulnerability can be exploited locally by an attacker who already has System-level privileges on the device, enabling them to escalate privileges further, potentially gaining full control over the device. The vulnerability does not require user interaction, increasing its risk in environments where System privilege is attainable. The affected devices run Android versions 13.0 through 16.0, encompassing many modern smartphones and embedded devices using MediaTek SoCs. The CVSS v3.1 score of 7.8 reflects high severity, with high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, and low attack complexity due to the local nature and lack of user interaction. Although no exploits are currently known in the wild, the broad range of affected chipsets and Android versions makes this a significant threat. The vulnerability was published in early 2026, with MediaTek assigning the issue ID MSV-5141 and patch ID ALPS10276761, though no direct patch links are provided in the data. The vulnerability’s exploitation could lead to complete device compromise, data leakage, or denial of service, especially in devices used in critical infrastructure or enterprise environments.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-20795 can be substantial, particularly for those relying on Android devices powered by MediaTek chipsets for corporate communications, mobile workforce, or IoT deployments. Successful exploitation could allow attackers with local System access to escalate privileges, potentially leading to full device compromise, unauthorized data access, or disruption of services. This is especially critical for sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government, where device integrity and confidentiality are paramount. The vulnerability could also affect embedded systems in industrial control or smart city infrastructure that utilize these chipsets, increasing the risk of operational disruption. Given the widespread use of MediaTek SoCs in affordable smartphones popular in Europe, many employees’ personal devices could be vulnerable, raising the risk of lateral movement or data exfiltration within corporate networks. The lack of user interaction for exploitation means that once System access is gained, attackers can operate stealthily and efficiently. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently provides a window for proactive mitigation, but the potential for rapid weaponization remains high.

European organizations should implement a multi-layered mitigation strategy beyond generic patching advice. First, they must inventory and identify all devices using affected MediaTek chipsets and Android versions 13.0 to 16.0 within their environment. Coordinate with device vendors and Mobile Device Management (MDM) providers to deploy the official MediaTek patch (ALPS10276761) as soon as it becomes available. Until patches are applied, restrict local System-level access by enforcing strict privilege separation and monitoring for privilege escalation attempts using endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools. Employ application whitelisting and integrity monitoring to detect anomalous behavior in the KeyInstall component or related processes. For IoT and embedded devices, isolate vulnerable devices on segmented networks to limit attack surface and lateral movement. Educate IT and security teams about the vulnerability’s characteristics to improve incident detection and response readiness. Regularly review logs for signs of out-of-bounds write exploitation attempts and anomalous memory corruption events. Finally, collaborate with vendors to obtain timely firmware updates and validate patch effectiveness through testing before wide deployment.