CVE-2025-20723
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes an out-of-bounds write vulnerability in the GNSS driver that allows local privilege escalation. Attackers with initial System privilege access can exploit this to gain higher privileges without user interaction. The vulnerability affects devices using MediaTek chipsets with the vulnerable GNSS driver.
💻 Affected Systems
- MediaTek GNSS driver
📦 What is this software?
Android by Google
Android by Google
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges, potentially taking full control of the device.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation from System to kernel-level access, enabling installation of persistent malware, data theft, or further system manipulation.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper privilege separation and driver sandboxing are implemented, though kernel access would still be possible.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires existing System privilege access. The vulnerability is in bounds checking logic making exploitation straightforward once initial access is obtained.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Patch ID: ALPS09920033
Vendor Advisory: https://corp.mediatek.com/product-security-bulletin/October-2025
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Check device chipset and GNSS driver version. 2. Apply MediaTek patch ALPS09920033. 3. Update device firmware to latest version containing the fix. 4. Reboot device to load patched driver.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable GNSS functionality
androidTemporarily disable GNSS services to prevent driver loading
adb shell pm disable com.android.location.fused
adb shell setprop persist.vendor.gnss.enable 0
Restrict System privilege access
allImplement strict access controls to prevent unauthorized System privilege acquisition
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict application sandboxing and privilege separation to limit System privilege access
- Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for privilege escalation attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check GNSS driver version and compare against patched versions in MediaTek advisory. Use: adb shell dumpsys locationCheck Version:
adb shell getprop | grep gnssVerify Fix Applied:
Verify patch ALPS09920033 is applied and GNSS driver version is updated. Check system logs for successful driver loading.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected GNSS driver crashes
- Privilege escalation attempts in system logs
- Suspicious kernel module loading
Network Indicators:
- None - local exploitation only
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("gnss" OR "location") AND ("crash" OR "oob" OR "bounds")