CVE-2025-20805 is a use-after-free vulnerability classified under CWE-416 found in the dpe component of MediaTek chipsets MT6899, MT6991, and MT8793, which are integrated into devices running Android 16.0. A use-after-free occurs when a program continues to use memory after it has been freed, leading to memory corruption. In this case, the vulnerability can be exploited locally by an attacker who already possesses System privileges, enabling them to escalate their privileges further, potentially gaining full control over the affected device. The vulnerability does not require any user interaction, making it easier to exploit once System access is obtained. The CVSS v3.1 score of 6.7 reflects a medium severity with a vector indicating local attack vector (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), high privileges required (PR:H), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H). Although no known exploits have been reported in the wild, the presence of this vulnerability in widely used MediaTek chipsets poses a significant risk, especially in environments where devices are shared or managed by multiple users. The patch identified as ALPS10114696 addresses this issue, and organizations are advised to apply it promptly. The vulnerability's exploitation could allow attackers to bypass security controls, access sensitive data, or disrupt device functionality.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-20805 can be significant, particularly for those relying on mobile devices or embedded systems powered by MediaTek MT6899, MT6991, or MT8793 chipsets running Android 16.0. Since exploitation requires existing System privileges, the vulnerability primarily threatens environments where attackers have already compromised a device to some extent, such as through insider threats or chained exploits. Successful exploitation could lead to full device compromise, exposing sensitive corporate data, enabling unauthorized access to internal networks, or disrupting critical mobile-dependent operations. This risk is heightened in sectors with stringent data protection requirements, such as finance, healthcare, and government agencies. Additionally, the lack of user interaction needed for exploitation means automated or stealthy privilege escalation is possible once initial access is gained. The vulnerability could also undermine trust in mobile device security, affecting BYOD policies and mobile workforce productivity.

To mitigate CVE-2025-20805, European organizations should prioritize the following actions: 1) Deploy the official patch ALPS10114696 as soon as it becomes available from device manufacturers or MediaTek to eliminate the vulnerability. 2) Restrict System-level privileges strictly to trusted processes and users, minimizing the attack surface for privilege escalation. 3) Implement robust endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring for suspicious local privilege escalation attempts and anomalous behavior on affected devices. 4) Enforce strict access controls and device management policies, especially for mobile devices running Android 16.0 with the affected chipsets. 5) Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing focusing on privilege escalation vectors to identify and remediate potential weaknesses. 6) Educate IT staff and users about the risks of privilege misuse and the importance of applying security updates promptly. 7) Consider network segmentation to limit the impact of compromised devices within corporate environments. These measures, combined with timely patching, will reduce the likelihood and impact of exploitation.