CVE-2025-20647 Overview
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-20647 poses a significant threat to multiple MediaTek modem products. This security flaw is centered around a missing bounds check in the modem component, which could result in a system crash, precipitating a remote denial of service (DoS). Notably, this vulnerability can be exploited if a user equipment (UE) connects to a rogue base station commandeered by a malicious actor. The exploit does not necessitate any specific user interaction or additional execution privileges, making it particularly dangerous if left unaddressed.
Affected Products and Details
This vulnerability affects a substantial range of MediaTek products, including modem versions NR12A, NR13, NR15, and NR16. The extensive list of affected products includes, but is not limited to, MT2735, MT6739, MT6761, MT6873, MT6895TT, and several others. Given the breadth of products impacted, the risk amplification across numerous devices could be considerable if exploited. The underlying issue is a CWE-476: NULL Pointer Dereference vulnerability, which underscores the critical need for robust bounds checking to prevent such weaknesses.
Mitigation Strategies
To mitigate the risks posed by CVE-2025-20647, MediaTek has issued relevant updates and patches. The recommended patch IDs are MOLY00791311 and MOLY01067019, which address this specific issue by implementing necessary bounds checks and other security enhancements.
- Updating Firmware: It is imperative that users and administrators ensure their devices are running the latest firmware versions. Applying the provided patches will mitigate the identified vulnerabilities and strengthen the overall security posture of the affected devices.
- Monitoring Connectivity: Regularly monitor your device connections and be wary of connecting to unknown or suspicious base stations. Employing trusted network infrastructure significantly reduces the likelihood of inadvertently connecting to a rogue base station controlled by an attacker.
- Security Awareness: Develop and disseminate security awareness among users regarding the dangers of rogue base stations. Such awareness can deter users from unwittingly facilitating exploits through naive connectivity actions.
By promptly applying the available patches and adhering to best security practices, organizations and individuals can significantly mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability. For further details, refer to the March 2025 MediaTek security bulletin.