CVE-2026-20494 in MT6890
Summary
by MITRE • 08/03/2026
In wifi, there is a possible out of bounds read due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to local information disclosure if a malicious actor has already obtained the System privilege. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. Patch ID: ALPS10960006 / BORA00155314, BORA00155001, BORA00154907; Issue ID: MSV-7570.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/03/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical out-of-bounds read condition within wireless networking components that stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms. The flaw manifests when the system fails to properly verify array indices or buffer boundaries during wifi protocol processing, creating an opportunity for unauthorized data access through memory corruption techniques. The vulnerability specifically affects wifi subsystem implementations where packet parsing routines lack proper bounds checking before accessing memory locations that could be manipulated by malicious actors.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it firmly within the realm of memory safety issues classified under common weakness enumeration CWE-129, which addresses insufficient boundary checking in input validation processes. This particular flaw demonstrates how inadequate defensive programming practices can create exploitable conditions even when attackers have already achieved system-level privileges through prior compromise. The absence of user interaction requirements for exploitation indicates that this vulnerability can be triggered automatically through network-based attacks or malicious packet injection techniques without requiring additional social engineering or interactive compromise methods.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability could enable local information disclosure attacks that allow adversaries to extract sensitive data from memory regions that should remain protected. The specific patch identifiers ALPS10960006 and BORA00155314, BORA00155001, BORA00154907 suggest this affects mobile device operating systems where wifi stack components handle network traffic processing. The issue ID MSV-7570 indicates formal recognition of this vulnerability within Microsoft's security tracking systems, highlighting its significance in enterprise and consumer device ecosystems.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with attack patterns documented in the attack technique framework under T1005 for data from local system and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter execution. Even though the initial compromise requires existing system privileges, the information disclosure capability represents a significant escalation risk that could provide attackers with additional credentials, session tokens, or other sensitive materials stored in memory. Security professionals should prioritize patching this vulnerability due to its potential to facilitate further compromise of affected systems and the automated nature of exploitation.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation procedures within wifi protocol handlers, particularly around array access operations and buffer boundary checks. System administrators should deploy the applicable patches referenced in the patch IDs immediately across all affected devices and monitor for any suspicious network activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification as a local information disclosure issue suggests that organizations should review their network segmentation and privilege escalation controls to minimize potential impact from successful exploitation. Additionally, continuous monitoring of memory access patterns and implementation of runtime protection mechanisms such as address space layout randomization can provide additional defense-in-depth measures against similar vulnerabilities.