CVE-2026-20480 in MT2735
Summary
by MITRE • 08/03/2026
In Audio HAL, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a heap buffer overflow. This could lead to local denial of service with User execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. Patch ID: ALPS10960023 (Note: For MT6880, MT6890, MT6980D, MT6988, MT6990) / AUTO00851189 (Note: For MT2735, MT3737); Issue ID: MSV-7586.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/03/2026
The vulnerability under discussion represents a critical heap buffer overflow condition within the Audio Hardware Abstraction Layer component of Android-based systems, specifically affecting MediaTek chipsets including models mt6880, mt6890, mt6980d, mt6988, and mt6990 alongside older variants mt2735 and mt3737. This flaw manifests as an out-of-bounds write operation that occurs when the audio hardware abstraction layer processes certain audio data streams or configuration parameters. The vulnerability is categorized under common weakness enumeration CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory regions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits improper input validation within the audio HAL's memory management routines, particularly when handling audio buffer allocations and data transfers between user space applications and kernel-level hardware drivers. The flaw enables an attacker with local execution privileges to manipulate heap memory structures through crafted audio data or configuration parameters that exceed allocated buffer boundaries. This condition can result in arbitrary code execution or system instability leading to denial of service scenarios.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system crashes as it provides a pathway for persistent local attacks that could be leveraged by malicious applications or compromised user accounts. The absence of user interaction requirements for exploitation makes this particularly concerning from a security standpoint, as it allows for automated attack scenarios without requiring physical access or social engineering tactics. Attackers can potentially trigger the buffer overflow through legitimate audio processing operations, making detection more challenging in production environments.
Security practitioners should implement immediate mitigations including patch deployment for affected MediaTek chipsets, specifically addressing the patch identifiers ALPS10960023 and AUTO00851189 which contain the necessary code modifications to prevent heap buffer overflows. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 by enabling local privilege escalation through memory corruption attacks. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing runtime protections such as heap canaries, address space layout randomization, and stack canary implementations to detect or prevent exploitation attempts. Network-level monitoring should also be enhanced to detect anomalous audio processing patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.
The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper memory management practices within hardware abstraction layers where multiple privilege levels interact with shared memory resources. The issue represents a fundamental breakdown in input validation and memory boundary checking mechanisms within the Android audio subsystem, highlighting the need for comprehensive security reviews of system-level components that handle multimedia data processing operations. Organizations should prioritize patching these specific MediaTek chipset variants while also implementing broader security controls to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other system components.
The flaw's classification as a local denial of service vulnerability with user execution privileges required indicates that exploitation does not require elevated system permissions, making it accessible to any user account on the affected systems. This characteristic places significant emphasis on proper privilege management and application sandboxing within Android environments where audio processing capabilities are exposed to multiple applications. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical security considerations in embedded system components and highlights the need for robust input validation across all hardware abstraction layers that interface with user-space applications.