CVE-2025-20802 is a use-after-free vulnerability classified under CWE-416 found in the geniezone component of MediaTek SoCs MT6991, MT8196, MT8367, MT8781, MT8786, and MT8793. The flaw arises from improper memory management where a previously freed memory region is accessed, leading to memory corruption. This can be exploited locally to escalate privileges from System level to higher privileges, potentially allowing an attacker to execute arbitrary code with elevated rights or cause denial of service. The vulnerability affects devices running Android 15.0 that incorporate these MediaTek chipsets. Exploitation does not require user interaction, which increases the risk once an attacker has System privileges, but initial access to System privileges is a prerequisite, limiting the attack surface. The CVSS v3.1 score is 6.7, reflecting medium severity with high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, but requiring high privileges and local access. No public exploits have been reported yet, and while a patch ID (ALPS10238968) is referenced, no direct patch link is provided. The vulnerability's presence in widely used MediaTek SoCs means it could affect a broad range of Android devices, especially newer models adopting Android 15.0. The geniezone component is critical for system operations, so exploitation could severely impact device stability and security.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to environments where Android 15.0 devices with the affected MediaTek chipsets are deployed, such as corporate mobile devices, IoT devices, or embedded systems. Successful exploitation could allow attackers with System privileges to escalate their access, potentially leading to full device compromise, unauthorized data access, or disruption of device functionality. This could impact confidentiality of sensitive corporate data, integrity of device operations, and availability of critical mobile or embedded services. Sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government, which rely heavily on secure mobile communications, could be particularly vulnerable. The requirement for local System privileges reduces the likelihood of remote exploitation but emphasizes the importance of internal security controls and endpoint protection. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as patches are not yet widely available or applied. Failure to mitigate could lead to targeted attacks or insider threats leveraging this vulnerability.

1. Apply the official patch ALPS10238968 from MediaTek or device manufacturers as soon as it becomes available to remediate the vulnerability. 2. Restrict System-level privileges on devices to trusted applications and users only, minimizing the risk of privilege escalation. 3. Implement strict endpoint security controls and monitoring to detect unusual local activity indicative of exploitation attempts. 4. Use mobile device management (MDM) solutions to enforce security policies and ensure timely patch deployment across all affected devices. 5. Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments on Android devices to identify and remediate privilege escalation risks. 6. Educate users and administrators about the risks of granting System privileges and the importance of applying security updates promptly. 7. Where possible, isolate critical devices or limit their network access to reduce the impact of potential compromises. 8. Monitor vendor advisories and threat intelligence feeds for updates or emerging exploit information related to this CVE.