CVE-2024-20082: MediaTek NR15 RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2024-20082 Overview

CVE-2024-20082 is a critical memory corruption vulnerability in MediaTek modem firmware caused by a missing bounds check. This flaw enables remote code execution on affected devices without requiring any user interaction or additional privileges. The vulnerability affects a wide range of MediaTek chipsets commonly found in smartphones and IoT devices, making it a significant threat to mobile device security.

Critical Impact

Remote attackers can execute arbitrary code on vulnerable MediaTek-powered devices through network-based attacks without requiring user interaction, potentially leading to complete device compromise.

Affected Products

• MediaTek NR15, NR16, NR17 (5G Modem Software)
• MediaTek MT2735, MT2737 (Modem Chipsets)
• MediaTek MT6833, MT6835, MT6835T, MT6853, MT6855 (Dimensity Series)
• MediaTek MT6873, MT6875, MT6875T, MT6877, MT6879, MT6880 (Dimensity Series)
• MediaTek MT6883, MT6885, MT6886, MT6889, MT6890, MT6891, MT6893 (Dimensity Series)
• MediaTek MT6895, MT6895TT, MT6896, MT6897 (Dimensity Series)
• MediaTek MT6980, MT6980D, MT6983, MT6985, MT6989, MT6990 (Dimensity Series)
• MediaTek MT8797 (Tablet/IoT Chipset)

Discovery Timeline

• August 14, 2024 - CVE-2024-20082 published to NVD
• May 30, 2025 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-20082

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability (CWE-119: Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer) exists within the MediaTek modem component firmware. The modem firmware fails to properly validate the bounds of input data before processing, creating a memory corruption condition that can be exploited remotely.

The attack can be initiated over the network without requiring any privileges on the target system. No user interaction is needed for successful exploitation, making this particularly dangerous as attacks can be carried out silently against any device within network range.

Successful exploitation grants attackers the ability to execute arbitrary code in the context of the modem processor. Given that the modem handles sensitive cellular communications and has privileged access to device functions, this could result in complete device compromise, interception of communications, or use as a pivot point for further attacks.

Root Cause

The root cause is a missing bounds check in the MediaTek modem firmware's data processing routines. When the modem receives specially crafted network data, it fails to validate that the data length falls within expected boundaries before copying or processing the data into memory buffers. This allows an attacker to write beyond allocated memory regions, corrupting adjacent memory structures and potentially hijacking program execution flow.

Attack Vector

The vulnerability is exploitable via the network attack vector. An attacker can craft malicious network packets targeting the modem's cellular interface. When the vulnerable modem firmware processes these packets without proper bounds validation, memory corruption occurs. The attacker can carefully construct the malicious payload to achieve controlled memory overwrites, ultimately redirecting code execution to attacker-supplied shellcode.

The attack requires no authentication, no user interaction, and provides no warning to the device owner. Devices connected to cellular networks are potentially exposed to this attack from malicious base stations or through network-level manipulation.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-20082

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual modem crashes or restarts without apparent cause
• Unexpected network traffic patterns from the baseband processor
• Device instability or unexplained battery drain related to modem activity
• Evidence of memory corruption in modem crash logs (if accessible)

Detection Strategies

• Monitor device logs for repeated modem firmware crashes or resets
• Implement network-level monitoring for anomalous cellular signaling patterns
• Deploy mobile device management (MDM) solutions that can detect firmware integrity issues
• Use SentinelOne Mobile Threat Defense to identify exploitation attempts and anomalous device behavior

Monitoring Recommendations

• Establish baseline modem behavior metrics and alert on deviations
• Monitor for devices running unpatched firmware versions
• Implement asset inventory tracking for devices with affected MediaTek chipsets
• Enable verbose logging on security infrastructure to capture potential exploitation traffic

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-20082

Immediate Actions Required

• Apply the latest firmware updates from device manufacturers that incorporate MediaTek's patch (MOLY01182594)
• Inventory all devices in your environment using affected MediaTek chipsets
• Prioritize patching for devices with sensitive data or critical functions
• Consider network isolation for devices that cannot be immediately patched

Patch Information

MediaTek has released a security patch identified as Patch ID: MOLY01182594 (Issue ID: MSV-1529) to address this vulnerability. The fix was included in the MediaTek Security Bulletin August 2024. Device manufacturers must integrate this patch into their firmware updates, so end users should check with their device vendor for applicable updates.

Workarounds

• No complete workaround exists for this vulnerability; patching is required for full remediation
• Where possible, avoid connecting devices to untrusted or public cellular networks until patched
• Enable airplane mode when devices are not in active use to reduce attack surface
• Consider using Wi-Fi connectivity as primary network access where feasible until patches are applied

# Check for MediaTek chipset on Android devices (requires ADB access)
adb shell getprop ro.hardware
adb shell getprop ro.board.platform
# Verify current firmware version and compare against patched versions
adb shell getprop gsm.version.baseband