CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2025-20766NVD status: Analyzed

MT2718, MT6739, MT6761, MT6765, MT6768…: Use of Uninitialized Variable

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2025-20766 is a high-severity use of uninitialized variable vulnerability in MT2718, MT6739, MT6761, MT6765, MT6768, MT6781, MT6789, MT6833, MT6835, MT6853, MT6855, MT6877, MT6878, MT6879, MT6883, MT6885, MT6886, MT6889, MT6893, MT6895, MT6897, MT6899, MT6983, MT6985, MT6989, MT6991, MT8196, MT8676, MT8678, MT8792, MT8793 from MediaTek, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. Affected MT2718, MT6739, MT6761, MT6765, MT6768, MT6781, MT6789, MT6833, MT6835, MT6853, MT6855, MT6877, MT6878, MT6879, MT6883, MT6885, MT6886, MT6889, MT6893, MT6895, MT6897, MT6899, MT6983, MT6985, MT6989, MT6991, MT8196, MT8676, MT8678, MT8792, MT8793 versions: Android 14.0, 15.0, 16.0. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.08% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Check which version of MT2718, MT6739, MT6761, MT6765, MT6768, MT6781, MT6789, MT6833, MT6835, MT6853, MT6855, MT6877, MT6878, MT6879, MT6883, MT6885, MT6886, MT6889, MT6893, MT6895, MT6897, MT6899, MT6983, MT6985, MT6989, MT6991, MT8196, MT8676, MT8678, MT8792, MT8793 you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
  2. Read the advisory on corp.mediatek.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
MediaTekMT2718, MT6739, MT6761, MT6765, MT6768, MT6781, MT6789, MT6833, MT6835, MT6853, MT6855, MT6877, MT6878, MT6879, MT6883, MT6885, MT6886, MT6889, MT6893, MT6895, MT6897, MT6899, MT6983, MT6985, MT6989, MT6991, MT8196, MT8676, MT8678, MT8792, MT8793Android 14.0, 15.0, 16.0Not stated
GoogleAndroid14.0; 15.0; 16.0Not stated

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.

How the severity score breaks down

Attack vector
LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
Attack complexity
LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Privileges required
LowA basic user account is enough.
User interaction
NoneNo action by a victim is required.
Scope
UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality
HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
Integrity
HighData or code can be modified at will.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CISA (ADP).

Official description

In display, there is a possible memory corruption due to improper input validation. This could lead to local escalation of privilege if a malicious actor has already obtained the System privilege. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. Patch ID: ALPS10196993; Issue ID: MSV-4820.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Use of Uninitialized Variable

The code uses a variable that has not been initialized, leading to unpredictable or unintended results.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • Ensure that critical variables are initialized before first use.
  • Most compilers will complain about the use of uninitialized variables if warnings are turned on.
  • When using a language that does not require explicit declaration of variables, run or compile the software in a mode that reports undeclared or unknown variables. This may indicate the presence of a typographic error in the variable's name.

More Use of Uninitialized Variable vulnerabilities (CWE-457)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Other vulnerabilities in MT2718, MT6739, MT6761, MT6765, MT6768, MT6781, MT6789, MT6833, MT6835, MT6853, MT6855, MT6877, MT6878, MT6879, MT6883, MT6885, MT6886, MT6889, MT6893, MT6895, MT6897, MT6899, MT6983, MT6985, MT6989, MT6991, MT8196, MT8676, MT8678, MT8792, MT8793

All MT2718, MT6739, MT6761, MT6765, MT6768, MT6781, MT6789, MT6833, MT6835, MT6853, MT6855, MT6877, MT6878, MT6879, MT6883, MT6885, MT6886, MT6889, MT6893, MT6895, MT6897, MT6899, MT6983, MT6985, MT6989, MT6991, MT8196, MT8676, MT8678, MT8792, MT8793 vulnerabilities

Recent Use of Uninitialized Variable vulnerabilities

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