CVE-2025-20636 in MT6580
Summary
by MITRE • 02/03/2025
In secmem, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. 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: ALPS09403554; Issue ID: MSV-2431.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/20/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-20636 resides within the secmem component of a system architecture, representing a critical out-of-bounds write flaw that fundamentally compromises memory integrity. This issue manifests when the system fails to perform adequate bounds checking during memory operations, creating a scenario where malicious code can write data beyond the allocated memory boundaries. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at a low system level where memory management controls are paramount for maintaining system stability and security. The flaw exists within the memory management subsystem that handles secure memory operations, making it a critical component in the attack chain for privilege escalation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from a missing validation mechanism that should have enforced strict boundary checks before memory writes occur. When the secmem component processes memory operations, it fails to verify that the target memory address falls within the legitimate allocated space, allowing for arbitrary memory corruption. This type of flaw falls under the CWE-787 category of out-of-bounds write conditions, which represents one of the most dangerous classes of memory corruption vulnerabilities. The absence of bounds checking creates a direct pathway for attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting critical system structures, function pointers, or control data that governs system behavior.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-20636 extends significantly beyond simple memory corruption, as it provides a potential pathway for local privilege escalation. While the vulnerability requires an attacker to already possess system-level privileges, the nature of the flaw means that an attacker with such access could leverage this weakness to gain even higher privileges or to corrupt system memory in ways that could lead to complete system compromise. The lack of user interaction requirements for exploitation makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous because it can be triggered automatically without any need for social engineering or user engagement. The patch ID ALPS09403554 and issue ID MSV-2431 indicate that this vulnerability was recognized and addressed through a specific system update, but the underlying flaw represents a fundamental weakness in the memory management architecture that could potentially be exploited in various attack scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate patching requirements and the broader architectural considerations that led to the flaw. Organizations should prioritize applying the specific patch identified by ALPS09403554 as the primary remediation measure, while also conducting thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any other components that might share similar memory management patterns. The ATT&CK framework would categorize this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the T1068 entry for exploit for privilege escalation. Security teams should implement additional monitoring for anomalous memory access patterns and consider implementing memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries or address space layout randomization to make exploitation more difficult. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices and the need for comprehensive code reviews focused on memory management operations, particularly in system-critical components like secmem that handle sensitive memory operations.