Overview of CVE-2025-20649
The recent vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-20649 has raised concerns about information security in the Bluetooth stack implementation by MediaTek, Inc. This vulnerability, affecting several MediaTek products, has been classified under the CWE-280: Improper Handling of Insufficient Permissions or Privileges. It primarily involves an information disclosure issue resulting from a missing permission check, putting users’ sensitive data at risk without needing additional execution privileges. This vulnerability can be remotely exploited, which makes it even more critical to address.
Affected Products and Details
MediaTek has identified the following products as susceptible to this vulnerability: MT6880, MT6890, MT6980, MT6990, MT7663, MT7902, MT7925, MT7927, and MT7961. Devices running SDK release 3.6 and before / openWRT 23.05 are notably affected. No user interaction is required for a potential attacker to exploit this vulnerability, hence accelerating the need for users to be vigilant and apply the necessary patches.
Mitigation Strategies
To safeguard against CVE-2025-20649, users need to implement the following mitigation steps:
- Prompt Patch Application: MediaTek has released a dedicated patch identified by Patch ID: WCNCR00396437. This patch addresses the permission check flaw and must be applied to all affected systems immediately to prevent any potential exploitation.
- Follow Security Best Practices: Beyond patching, it is crucial to adhere to security best practices. Regularly update your devices and software to the latest versions to ensure vulnerabilities are patched timely.
- Monitor for Unusual Activity: Regularly monitor network traffic and system logs for any unusual activity that might indicate an attempt to exploit this or related vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
CVE-2025-20649 highlights the perpetual need for vigilance in security management, particularly in devices that govern critical communication protocols like Bluetooth. By applying the recommended patches and maintaining security best practices, users can effectively mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability. For further details, please refer to the MediaTek Product Security Bulletin for March 2025.