CVE-2025-20796 is a vulnerability identified in the imgsys component of MediaTek chipsets MT6989, MT8796, and MT8893, which are integrated into devices running Android 15.0. The root cause is improper input validation that leads to an out-of-bounds write condition, classified under CWE-1285 (Specified Index, Position, or Offset). This flaw can be exploited locally by an attacker who has already obtained System-level privileges on the device, allowing them to escalate privileges further, potentially compromising device integrity or stability. Exploitation requires user interaction, indicating that the attacker must trick or coerce the user into performing an action that triggers the vulnerability. No public exploits have been reported, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet. The vulnerability was reserved in November 2024 and published in January 2026. The lack of a CVSS score suggests the need for a severity assessment based on impact and exploitability factors. The vulnerability affects a specific set of MediaTek chipsets widely used in mid-range to high-end Android devices, particularly those running the latest Android 15.0 version. The issue is significant because it can be leveraged to elevate privileges locally, which could facilitate further malicious activity or persistence on compromised devices. The patch referenced (ALPS10314745) should be applied as soon as possible to mitigate the risk. Given the requirement for system privileges and user interaction, the attack vector is limited but still poses a risk in environments where initial compromise has occurred.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-20796 lies in the potential for local privilege escalation on devices using affected MediaTek chipsets running Android 15.0. This could undermine device security, allowing attackers with system-level access to gain higher privileges, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive data, disruption of device operations, or persistence of malicious code. Organizations relying on mobile devices for critical operations may face increased risk if attackers exploit this vulnerability to bypass security controls. The requirement for user interaction and prior system privileges reduces the likelihood of widespread exploitation but does not eliminate risk in targeted attacks or insider threat scenarios. The vulnerability could affect mobile device management (MDM) security, endpoint protection, and overall mobile security posture. Additionally, if exploited in devices used within industrial or operational technology environments, it could impact availability and integrity of critical systems. The absence of known exploits provides a window for proactive mitigation, but organizations should remain vigilant for emerging threats leveraging this vulnerability.

1. Apply the official patch ALPS10314745 from MediaTek or device manufacturers as soon as it becomes available to ensure the vulnerability is remediated. 2. Restrict user interaction paths that could trigger the vulnerability, such as limiting installation of untrusted applications or disabling risky features that require user input. 3. Enforce strict privilege separation and minimize the number of users or processes with system-level privileges to reduce the attack surface. 4. Implement robust mobile device management (MDM) policies to monitor and control device configurations and software updates. 5. Educate users about phishing and social engineering risks to prevent inadvertent triggering of the vulnerability. 6. Monitor device logs and security alerts for signs of privilege escalation attempts or anomalous behavior on devices with affected chipsets. 7. Consider network segmentation and endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect lateral movement or exploitation attempts. 8. Coordinate with device vendors and security teams to track updates and advisories related to this vulnerability.