CVE-2025-20795
📋 TL;DR
CVE-2025-20795 is an out-of-bounds write vulnerability in KeyInstall that allows local privilege escalation. Attackers with System privilege can exploit this without user interaction to gain higher privileges. This affects MediaTek devices using vulnerable KeyInstall components.
💻 Affected Systems
- MediaTek devices with KeyInstall component
📦 What is this software?
Android by Google
Android by Google
Android by Google
Android by Google
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise with root/admin access, allowing installation of persistent malware, data theft, and disabling security controls.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation from System to higher privileged accounts, enabling lateral movement and persistence establishment.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper privilege separation and exploit mitigations (ASLR, DEP) are in place, though still dangerous.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires existing System privilege, making this a secondary escalation vector rather than initial access.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Apply patch ALPS10276761
Vendor Advisory: https://corp.mediatek.com/product-security-bulletin/January-2026
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Check MediaTek advisory for affected device models. 2. Apply patch ALPS10276761 via OTA update or vendor-provided firmware. 3. Reboot device to complete installation.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict System Privilege Access
androidLimit which applications/services can obtain System privilege to reduce attack surface.
Review and harden SELinux/AppArmor policies
Audit applications with System privilege
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict application sandboxing and privilege separation
- Monitor for unusual privilege escalation attempts and System privilege abuse
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check device firmware version against MediaTek's patched releases; vulnerable if patch ALPS10276761 not applied.Check Version:
Check Settings > About Phone > Build Number for firmware detailsVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm patch ALPS10276761 is installed via system update logs or firmware version check.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual privilege escalation attempts
- KeyInstall process crashes or abnormal behavior
- System privilege abuse logs
Network Indicators:
- None - local exploitation only
SIEM Query:
Process creation where parent has System privilege and child gains higher privileges