CVE-2025-20799
📋 TL;DR
CVE-2025-20799 is a use-after-free vulnerability in c2ps that allows memory corruption. This enables local privilege escalation from System privilege to higher privileges without user interaction. Affects systems using vulnerable versions of c2ps, particularly MediaTek devices.
💻 Affected Systems
- MediaTek devices with c2ps component
📦 What is this software?
Android by Google
Android by Google
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full system compromise with kernel-level access, allowing complete control over the device, data theft, and persistence mechanisms.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation from System to kernel/root privileges, enabling installation of malware, credential theft, and lateral movement.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper privilege separation and SELinux/app sandboxing are enforced, though kernel compromise may still be possible.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires System privilege first; memory corruption techniques needed for privilege escalation.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Patch ID: ALPS10274607
Vendor Advisory: https://corp.mediatek.com/product-security-bulletin/January-2026
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Check device vendor for firmware updates. 2. Apply MediaTek security patch ALPS10274607. 3. Reboot device after patch installation.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict System Privilege Access
allLimit applications and users with System privilege to reduce attack surface.
Enable SELinux Enforcement
linuxEnforce SELinux policies to contain potential privilege escalation.
setenforce 1
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Isolate affected devices from critical networks and sensitive data.
- Implement strict application allowlisting to prevent malicious apps from obtaining System privilege.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check device firmware version against MediaTek security bulletin; verify c2ps driver version.Check Version:
Check device build number or firmware version in Android settings.Verify Fix Applied:
Confirm patch ALPS10274607 is applied via device settings or vendor update verification.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic logs, abnormal c2ps process behavior, privilege escalation attempts in audit logs
Network Indicators:
- Unusual outbound connections from privileged processes
SIEM Query:
Process creation events with parent process c2ps or privilege changes from System to root.