CVE-2025-20802 is a use-after-free vulnerability classified under CWE-416 found in the geniezone component of MediaTek's system-on-chip (SoC) platforms MT6991, MT8196, MT8367, MT8781, MT8786, and MT8793. These SoCs are integrated into devices running Android 15.0. The vulnerability arises from improper memory management where a previously freed memory object is accessed, leading to memory corruption. This corruption can be exploited by an attacker who already has System-level privileges on the device to escalate their privileges further, potentially gaining higher-level control or bypassing security restrictions. Notably, exploitation does not require any user interaction, which means that once an attacker has initial system access, they can reliably exploit this flaw without tricking the user. The vulnerability is local, meaning remote exploitation is not directly possible without prior system access. No public exploits or active exploitation campaigns have been reported to date. The issue was reserved in November 2024 and published in January 2026, with a patch identified as ALPS10238968, although no direct patch links are provided. The lack of a CVSS score necessitates an independent severity assessment. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality and integrity by enabling privilege escalation, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate sensitive data or system configurations. The affected MediaTek SoCs are widely used in mid- to high-end Android devices, making this a significant concern for device manufacturers, service providers, and end-users relying on these platforms.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk primarily in environments where devices with affected MediaTek SoCs running Android 15.0 are deployed. The local privilege escalation could allow attackers who have already compromised a device at the System level to gain even greater control, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive corporate data, disruption of device operations, or persistence of malicious code. Sectors such as telecommunications, finance, healthcare, and government agencies that rely on secure mobile communications and data integrity could be particularly impacted. The lack of user interaction requirement increases the risk in scenarios where devices are shared or managed remotely. Additionally, the vulnerability could be leveraged as part of a multi-stage attack chain, where initial access is gained through other means, and this flaw is used to deepen the compromise. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive mitigation, but the widespread use of MediaTek SoCs in consumer and enterprise devices across Europe means the potential attack surface is large. Failure to patch could lead to increased risk of targeted attacks, data breaches, and operational disruptions.

1. Apply the official patch ALPS10238968 from MediaTek or device manufacturers as soon as it becomes available to remediate the use-after-free vulnerability. 2. Implement strict privilege separation and limit System-level access on devices to reduce the likelihood of attackers reaching the privilege level required to exploit this flaw. 3. Employ mobile device management (MDM) solutions to monitor and control device configurations and detect anomalous privilege escalations or suspicious behavior. 4. Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments on Android devices within the organization to identify unpatched or vulnerable devices. 5. Educate IT and security teams about the vulnerability and the importance of rapid patch deployment, especially in environments with sensitive data. 6. Restrict installation of untrusted applications and enforce application whitelisting to minimize the risk of initial compromise that could lead to exploitation. 7. Monitor security advisories from MediaTek and Android vendors for updates or additional mitigations related to this vulnerability. 8. Consider network segmentation and endpoint protection strategies to contain potential compromises on affected devices.