CVE-2025-20740
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in MediaTek's WLAN STA driver allows local attackers to read memory beyond intended boundaries due to a race condition. It can lead to information disclosure without requiring user interaction, affecting devices with MediaTek wireless chipsets. Attackers need local execution privileges to exploit this flaw.
💻 Affected Systems
- MediaTek WLAN STA driver
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Sensitive kernel memory disclosure including cryptographic keys, passwords, or other privileged data from adjacent processes
Likely Case
Limited information leakage from kernel memory or adjacent processes, potentially revealing system state or partial data
If Mitigated
Minimal impact if proper kernel hardening and privilege separation are implemented
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires race condition triggering which adds complexity, but no user interaction needed once local access is obtained
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Patch ID: WCNCR00435337
Vendor Advisory: https://corp.mediatek.com/product-security-bulletin/November-2025
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Contact device manufacturer for firmware updates. 2. Apply MediaTek-provided patch WCNCR00435337. 3. Update device firmware through official channels. 4. Reboot device after update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict local user privileges
allLimit local user accounts to prevent execution of arbitrary code
Disable unnecessary WLAN interfaces
linuxTurn off WLAN when not needed to reduce attack surface
sudo ifconfig wlan0 down
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls to limit local user privileges
- Monitor for suspicious local process activity and memory access patterns
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check driver version against patched version from manufacturer. Contact device vendor for specific vulnerability assessment.Check Version:
Device-specific; typically in Android: Settings > About Phone > Build Number or via adb shell getpropVerify Fix Applied:
Verify patch WCNCR00435337 is applied through firmware version check or vendor confirmation📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic logs
- Driver crash reports
- Unusual memory access patterns in system logs
Network Indicators:
- Local privilege escalation attempts
- Abnormal WLAN driver behavior
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("wlan" OR "sta driver") AND ("panic" OR "oops" OR "segfault")