CVE-2025-20805 is a use-after-free vulnerability categorized under CWE-416 affecting MediaTek chipsets MT6899, MT6991, and MT8793, specifically within the 'dpe' component on devices running Android 16.0. Use-after-free vulnerabilities occur when a program continues to use memory after it has been freed, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code or escalate privileges. In this case, the vulnerability allows a local attacker who already has System privileges to further escalate their privileges, potentially gaining higher-level access or control over the device. The vulnerability does not require user interaction, which increases the risk of automated or stealthy exploitation. Although no public exploits are known at this time, the presence of a patch ID (ALPS10114696) indicates that MediaTek has acknowledged the issue and is likely working on or has released a fix. The affected chipsets are widely used in various mobile devices, including smartphones and tablets, which means the vulnerability could impact a broad range of devices. The vulnerability’s exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, manipulation of system processes, or installation of persistent malware. Because the attacker must already have System privileges, the initial compromise vector might be through other vulnerabilities or insider threats. The lack of a CVSS score requires an assessment based on the technical details, which suggests a high severity due to the potential impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, combined with ease of exploitation once System access is obtained.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-20805 could be significant, especially those relying on mobile devices or embedded systems powered by the affected MediaTek chipsets. Privilege escalation vulnerabilities can allow attackers to bypass security controls, access sensitive corporate data, manipulate system configurations, or deploy persistent malware. This could lead to data breaches, loss of intellectual property, or disruption of business operations. Since exploitation requires prior System-level access, the vulnerability could be leveraged as a secondary attack vector following an initial compromise, amplifying the overall risk. Organizations with Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies or those using MediaTek-based devices for critical communications or operational technology may face increased exposure. Additionally, the stealthy nature of the vulnerability (no user interaction needed) makes detection and prevention more challenging. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk, but the potential for future exploitation necessitates proactive mitigation. Failure to address this vulnerability could also result in non-compliance with European data protection regulations if it leads to data breaches.

1. Monitor MediaTek and device vendor advisories closely and apply patches or firmware updates as soon as they become available to remediate the vulnerability. 2. Restrict System-level privileges on devices to only trusted applications and processes, minimizing the attack surface for privilege escalation. 3. Implement robust endpoint security solutions capable of detecting abnormal behavior indicative of privilege escalation attempts. 4. Enforce strict access controls and device management policies, especially for mobile devices used within the corporate environment. 5. Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments on devices incorporating affected chipsets. 6. Educate users and administrators about the risks associated with privilege escalation vulnerabilities and the importance of timely updates. 7. Utilize mobile device management (MDM) solutions to enforce security policies and automate patch deployment. 8. Consider network segmentation to limit the impact of compromised devices within the organizational infrastructure. 9. Employ runtime application self-protection (RASP) or similar technologies where feasible to detect and block exploitation attempts in real time.