CVE-2026-20466 in MT2737
Summary
by MITRE • 08/03/2026
In sec boot, there is a possible escalation of privilege due to a heap buffer overflow. This could lead to local escalation of privilege, if an attacker has physical access to the device, with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. Patch ID: AUTO00845351 (Note: For MT2737) / ALPS11072643 (Note: For MT6880, MT6890, MT6990); Issue ID: MSV-6929.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/03/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical heap buffer overflow condition within the secure boot implementation of specific MediaTek chipsets including MT2737, MT6880, MT6890, and MT6990 processors. The flaw exists in the secure boot mechanism that validates device integrity during system startup, creating an opportunity for privilege escalation when exploited by an attacker with physical device access. The vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking during heap memory allocation operations within the secure boot firmware components, allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations through carefully crafted input data that exceeds allocated buffer boundaries. This particular weakness falls under the CWE-121 category of heap-based buffer overflow conditions, which are particularly dangerous in trusted execution environments where memory corruption can compromise the entire system security architecture.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to potentially enable complete system compromise when an attacker possesses physical access to affected devices. Since no additional execution privileges or user interaction is required for exploitation, the attack surface becomes significantly broader compared to traditional software vulnerabilities that require specific preconditions. The local nature of the escalation means that an attacker can leverage this flaw without network connectivity or remote access capabilities, making it particularly concerning for mobile devices and embedded systems where physical access may be more readily achievable than network-based attacks. The vulnerability affects the core boot process where system integrity is verified, potentially allowing an attacker to bypass security measures designed to prevent unauthorized modifications to the device firmware.
Security implications of this heap buffer overflow extend into multiple attack vectors defined by the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly under the privilege escalation and defense evasion techniques. The vulnerability could be leveraged in conjunction with other attacks to establish persistent access or to modify critical system components including bootloader code, recovery partitions, or trusted execution environments. The patch IDs AUTO00845351 and ALPS11072643 represent firmware updates specifically targeting this memory corruption issue within MediaTek's secure boot implementation, indicating the severity of the vulnerability within the chipset vendor's security assessment framework. Organizations deploying devices with these affected processors should prioritize immediate patching to prevent potential exploitation scenarios.
Mitigation strategies should focus on both immediate remediation through firmware updates and broader security controls to limit physical access opportunities. The recommended approach includes applying the vendor-provided patches as soon as possible, while also implementing physical security measures such as device locking mechanisms and tamper detection systems. Network-based monitoring solutions should be enhanced to detect unusual boot behavior or unauthorized firmware modifications that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing hardware security modules or trusted platform modules that can provide additional layers of protection beyond the vulnerable secure boot implementation, ensuring that even if local privilege escalation occurs through this vulnerability, further compromise remains limited by additional security controls.