CVE-2025-20697 in MT2718
Summary
by MITRE • 08/04/2025
In Power HAL, 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: ALPS09915681; Issue ID: MSV-3795.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-20697 resides within the Power Hardware Abstraction Layer component of Android systems, representing a critical security flaw that could enable local privilege escalation. This issue manifests as an out-of-bounds write condition that occurs when the Power HAL fails to perform proper bounds checking on input data. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited by an attacker who already possesses system-level privileges, making it a post-compromise escalation vector rather than an initial access point. The absence of user interaction requirements for exploitation means that once an attacker has achieved system-level access, they can immediately leverage this flaw to gain elevated privileges. The Power HAL serves as a crucial interface between the Android system and hardware power management components, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to manipulate system behavior and maintain persistent access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from a missing bounds check within the Power HAL code structure, which directly maps to CWE-129 Input Validation and CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write. When the system processes power management commands or configurations, it fails to validate the size or range of data being written to memory locations, allowing an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory regions. This type of flaw typically occurs when developers assume input data will always conform to expected parameters without implementing proper validation mechanisms. The Power HAL operates at a low system level where memory corruption can lead to arbitrary code execution, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous. The patch ID ALPS09915681 and issue ID MSV-3795 indicate this was recognized as a significant security concern by the Android security team, requiring immediate attention and remediation. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' and demonstrates how system-level flaws can be leveraged for elevation of privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can enable attackers to manipulate core system functions related to power management and device behavior. An attacker who successfully exploits this flaw could potentially disable security features, modify system configurations, or establish persistent backdoors within the device's power management subsystem. The consequences are particularly severe in enterprise environments where devices may be running critical applications or handling sensitive data, as this vulnerability could allow attackers to compromise the entire device lifecycle. The fact that this vulnerability requires no user interaction makes it especially dangerous in scenarios where attackers have already gained system-level access through other means, such as through compromised applications or system exploits. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader threat landscape that includes other low-level system exploits, and it should be prioritized in vulnerability management programs due to its potential for system compromise. The Power HAL's role in managing device power states means that exploitation could potentially disrupt device functionality or create persistent access points that remain undetected by standard security monitoring tools.