CVE-2025-20749
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a buffer overflow vulnerability in MediaTek's charger component that allows local privilege escalation. An attacker with initial System privilege access can exploit this out-of-bounds write to gain elevated privileges without user interaction. This affects devices using vulnerable MediaTek chipsets.
💻 Affected Systems
- MediaTek charger component
📦 What is this software?
Android by Google
Android by Google
Android by Google
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise with root/kernel-level access, enabling persistence, data theft, and further lateral movement.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation from System to higher privileges, allowing installation of malware, credential harvesting, or bypassing security controls.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper privilege separation and exploit mitigations (ASLR, DEP) are in place, though still dangerous.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires System privilege first; missing bounds check makes exploitation straightforward once initial access achieved.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Patch ID: ALPS09915493
Vendor Advisory: https://corp.mediatek.com/product-security-bulletin/November-2025
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Check device chipset and firmware version. 2. Apply MediaTek patch ALPS09915493. 3. Update device firmware from manufacturer. 4. Reboot device to apply changes.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict System privilege access
linuxLimit which processes/users have System privilege to reduce attack surface
Review and tighten SELinux/AppArmor policies
Audit processes running with System privilege
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls to prevent unauthorized System privilege acquisition
- Deploy exploit mitigation technologies (ASLR, DEP, stack canaries) to make exploitation more difficult
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check device chipset and firmware version against MediaTek security bulletin; examine if patch ALPS09915493 is appliedCheck Version:
cat /proc/version | grep -i mediatek && getprop ro.build.fingerprintVerify Fix Applied:
Verify patch ALPS09915493 is present in firmware; check charger component version📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected privilege escalation events
- Charger component crashes or abnormal behavior
- Processes gaining unexpected root privileges
Network Indicators:
- Not network exploitable; focus on host-based detection
SIEM Query:
process_privilege_change AND (process_name:"charger" OR component:"mediatek")