CVE-2026-20421: MediaTek chipset · Out-of-bounds Read
Affects MediaTek chipsetSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 6.5 Medium.
Data as of 25 Oct 2026, 19:02 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.2% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 14% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 2 Feb 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponised: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 2026-10-25.
What to do
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| MediaTek, Inc.MediaTek chipset | Affected
| Fixed in– |
AI-suggested
To mitigate CVE-2026-20421, organizations and device manufacturers should promptly apply the official patch MOLY01738293 provided by MediaTek. Network operators should monitor for and mitigate rogue base stations within their coverage areas using advanced detection and prevention systems. Device firmware should be updated regularly to incorporate security patches and improvements. Implementing network-level protections such as mutual authentication between base stations and devices can reduce the risk of rogue base station attacks. For high-risk deployments, consider deploying devices with chipset versions not affected by this vulnerability or with additional security hardening. Security teams should also educate users about the risks of connecting to unknown cellular networks, although user interaction is not required for exploitation. Continuous monitoring for unusual device behavior or connectivity issues can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Collaboration with telecom providers to enhance base station authentication protocols may provide longer-term mitigation against similar threats.
Description
In Modem, there is a possible system crash due to improper input validation. This could lead to remote denial of service, if a UE has connected to a rogue base station controlled by the attacker, with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. Patch ID: MOLY01738293; Issue ID: MSV-5922.