CVE-2025-20803 Overview
CVE-2025-20803 is an integer overflow vulnerability [CWE-190] in the MediaTek dpe (Display Processing Engine) component. The flaw can lead to memory corruption and local escalation of privilege on affected Android devices powered by MediaTek chipsets. Exploitation requires the attacker to already hold System privilege and requires user interaction. MediaTek tracks the fix under Patch ID ALPS10199779 and Issue ID MSV-4504. The vulnerability affects Android 16.0 builds running on MediaTek MT6899, MT6991, and MT8793 platforms.
Critical Impact
An attacker with System-level access can trigger memory corruption in the dpe driver to escalate privileges further on the device, potentially reaching kernel-level execution.
Affected Products
- Google Android 16.0
- MediaTek MT6899
- MediaTek MT6991
- MediaTek MT8793
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-01-06 - CVE-2025-20803 published to NVD
- 2026-01-08 - Last updated in NVD database
- January 2026 - MediaTek publishes Product Security Bulletin with patch details
Technical Details for CVE-2025-20803
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in MediaTek's dpe display processing engine driver. An integer overflow [CWE-190] occurs during arithmetic operations on size or length parameters within the driver. When the overflowed value is subsequently used to allocate or index memory, the result is a corrupted memory region.
The attack is local and requires high privileges plus user interaction. Confidentiality, integrity, and availability are all impacted because corruption inside a kernel-mode driver can be steered toward arbitrary write primitives. Successful exploitation enables an attacker who already holds System privilege to escalate further into the kernel context.
EPSS data indicates a low probability of observed exploitation, though the vulnerability sits in the upper percentile range for predicted exploit interest among MediaTek bugs. No public proof-of-concept code has been published.
Root Cause
The root cause is unchecked arithmetic on user-controlled or attacker-influenced size values inside the dpe driver. When these values exceed the range of the integer type used, they wrap around to a small or negative value. The undersized allocation or miscalculated offset then permits writes beyond the intended buffer boundary.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is local. An attacker must first obtain System-level privilege on the Android device, typically by chaining a prior vulnerability or by abusing a privileged application. The attacker then issues a crafted ioctl or driver request to the dpe interface with parameters that trigger the integer overflow. User interaction is required, suggesting the trigger path involves an active display or graphics operation initiated by the user.
No verified exploitation code is available. Refer to the MediaTek Security Bulletin January 2026 for vendor-supplied technical context.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-20803
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected kernel panics or dpe driver crashes recorded in Android logcat or dmesg output.
- Processes running with System UID making unusual ioctl calls to /dev/mtk_dpe or related MediaTek display device nodes.
- Privilege transitions from System to kernel context shortly after graphics-related syscalls.
Detection Strategies
- Monitor Android system logs for repeated crashes or memory faults originating from the MediaTek dpe kernel module.
- Flag installations or executions of applications that request System-level permissions and then interact with low-level graphics drivers.
- Correlate device build fingerprints against the patched build levels published in the MediaTek January 2026 bulletin.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enforce mobile device management (MDM) policies that report Android security patch level to detect unpatched MT6899, MT6991, and MT8793 devices.
- Collect crash telemetry from managed Android endpoints and alert on stack traces referencing dpe functions.
- Track installed application privileges and revoke any non-essential application granted System-level capabilities.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-20803
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the MediaTek patch identified as ALPS10199779 once distributed by the device OEM through the Android security update channel.
- Inventory all managed Android devices using MT6899, MT6991, or MT8793 chipsets and prioritize them for the January 2026 security patch level.
- Restrict installation of applications requiring System privileges to vetted, signed sources only.
Patch Information
MediaTek has issued the fix under Patch ID ALPS10199779 and Issue ID MSV-4504. Details are documented in the MediaTek Security Bulletin January 2026. Device manufacturers must integrate the patch into their Android security maintenance releases before end users receive it.
Workarounds
- No vendor-supplied workaround exists; patching is the only complete remediation.
- Reduce attack surface by removing or disabling third-party applications holding System privilege until the patch is applied.
- Enable Android Verified Boot and SELinux enforcing mode to limit the impact of a successful System-to-kernel escalation.
# Verify the Android security patch level on a managed device
adb shell getprop ro.build.version.security_patch
# Confirm the MediaTek chipset model to determine applicability
adb shell getprop ro.hardware
adb shell getprop ro.board.platform
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
