CVE-2026-20410: Android Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

CVE-2026-20410 Overview

CVE-2026-20410 is an out-of-bounds write vulnerability in the MediaTek imgsys (image subsystem) component affecting Google Android devices powered by specific MediaTek chipsets. The vulnerability exists due to a missing bounds check that could allow a malicious actor who has already obtained System privilege to escalate privileges further. No user interaction is required for exploitation.

Critical Impact

Local privilege escalation on Android devices with MediaTek chipsets, potentially allowing attackers with existing System privileges to gain complete device control.

Affected Products

• Google Android 15.0
• MediaTek MT6897 chipset
• MediaTek MT6989 chipset
• MediaTek MT8370 chipset
• MediaTek MT8390 chipset
• MediaTek MT8395 chipset

Discovery Timeline

• February 2, 2026 - CVE-2026-20410 published to NVD
• February 4, 2026 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-20410

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-787 (Out-of-Bounds Write), a memory corruption issue that occurs when the imgsys component writes data past the boundaries of the allocated memory buffer. The flaw stems from the absence of proper bounds checking before write operations in the image subsystem driver.

The imgsys component is responsible for handling image processing operations on MediaTek-powered Android devices. When processing certain inputs, the component fails to validate buffer boundaries, allowing an attacker to write arbitrary data to adjacent memory locations. This can corrupt critical data structures, function pointers, or security-sensitive memory regions.

The attack requires local access and elevated System privileges as a prerequisite, which limits the immediate exploitability but represents a serious threat in scenarios where an attacker has already achieved initial system-level access through other means. Once exploited, the vulnerability enables complete compromise of the affected device's security model.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2026-20410 is a missing bounds check in the MediaTek imgsys driver code. When processing image data or configuration parameters, the driver does not properly validate that write operations stay within the allocated buffer boundaries. This allows crafted input to trigger memory writes beyond the intended buffer, leading to memory corruption and potential code execution in a privileged context.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is local, requiring an attacker to have already obtained System privilege on the target device. The exploitation flow involves:

1. An attacker with existing System privileges crafts malicious input targeting the imgsys component
2. The malformed input bypasses the missing bounds check during processing
3. The out-of-bounds write corrupts adjacent memory structures
4. The memory corruption is leveraged to gain higher privileges or execute arbitrary code

Since no user interaction is required, the attack can be performed silently once the prerequisite System access is achieved. This could occur through malicious applications, device compromise via other vulnerabilities, or physical access scenarios.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-20410

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected crashes or instability in the imgsys or camera subsystem services
• Anomalous memory access patterns in kernel logs related to image processing
• Suspicious processes attempting to interact with MediaTek-specific drivers or device nodes
• Evidence of privilege escalation attempts from System to kernel-level access

Detection Strategies

• Monitor Android system logs for imgsys-related crashes or errors that may indicate exploitation attempts
• Implement runtime integrity monitoring for MediaTek driver modules
• Deploy mobile threat detection solutions capable of identifying abnormal system-level activity
• Review SELinux/SEAndroid audit logs for policy violations related to the image subsystem

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose logging for MediaTek-specific kernel modules when investigating potential compromise
• Monitor for unauthorized modifications to system partitions or boot images
• Implement application allowlisting to prevent unauthorized code from achieving initial System privileges
• Deploy SentinelOne Mobile Threat Defense for comprehensive endpoint visibility on Android devices

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-20410

Immediate Actions Required

• Apply the February 2026 Android security patch from device manufacturers immediately
• Verify that devices are running the patched firmware version containing fix ALPS10362552
• Restrict installation of applications from unknown sources to reduce initial compromise vectors
• Ensure devices have Mobile Threat Defense solutions deployed for continuous monitoring

Patch Information

MediaTek has released a security patch identified as ALPS10362552 (Issue ID: MSV-5760) to address this vulnerability. The patch is included in the MediaTek Security Bulletin for February 2026. Device manufacturers integrating MediaTek chipsets should incorporate this fix into their Android security updates. End users should apply the latest security updates from their device manufacturers as soon as they become available.

Workarounds

• Limit the attack surface by minimizing applications with System-level permissions
• Enable Android Verified Boot to detect unauthorized system modifications
• Disable or restrict developer options and USB debugging on production devices
• Consider enterprise mobile device management (MDM) solutions to enforce security policies and rapid patch deployment

# Verify Android security patch level
adb shell getprop ro.build.version.security_patch
# Expected output should be 2026-02-01 or later for patched devices