CVE-2026-20562 in MT2716
Summary
by MITRE • 11/02/2026
In Modem, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to remote denial of service, if a UE has connected to a rogue base station controlled by the attacker, with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. Patch ID: MOLY01775984; Issue ID: MSV-8907.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/02/2026
The vulnerability identified under issue identifier MSV-8907 and addressed by patch MOLY01775984 represents a critical security flaw within the modem subsystem of mobile devices, specifically involving an out-of-bounds write condition resulting from insufficient input validation. This type of memory corruption error occurs when the software writes data to a memory location beyond the intended buffer boundaries due to a missing bounds check during processing operations. In the context of cellular communication protocols, such flaws are particularly dangerous because they reside in low-level components that handle raw network traffic before it is fully sanitized or processed by higher-layer applications. The absence of rigorous boundary verification allows an attacker who controls the input stream to dictate exactly where data is written in memory, potentially overwriting adjacent variables, control structures, or critical system state information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability centers on remote denial of service capabilities rather than immediate code execution, although the potential for privilege escalation cannot be entirely ruled out depending on the specific memory layout and exploitation techniques employed by an adversary. The attack vector requires a User Equipment to connect to a rogue base station that is under the direct control of the attacker. This scenario typically involves setting up a malicious Long Term Evolution or 5G New Radio cell, often referred to as a fake base station or IMSI catcher setup, which tricks nearby devices into establishing a connection. Once connected, the modem processes specially crafted signaling messages from this rogue infrastructure. Because no additional execution privileges are required on the device itself and user interaction is not needed for exploitation, the attack can be executed passively against any susceptible device within radio range that attempts to register with or maintain connectivity to the malicious cell.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability aligns closely with Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-787: Out-of-bounds Write. This classification highlights the fundamental failure in memory safety where data is written outside the allocated buffer space, leading to undefined behavior that can crash the application or corrupt system integrity. In mobile modem firmware, such errors often stem from complex protocol implementations where performance optimizations may have inadvertently bypassed standard validation checks during high-speed packet processing. The lack of user interaction and privilege requirements places this vulnerability in a high-risk category for physical proximity attacks, as it exploits the trust relationship between the device's radio hardware/firmware and the network infrastructure it connects to.
The attack scenario maps directly to MITRE ATT&CK techniques related to wireless communication exploitation, specifically those involving cellular base station impersonation or rogue access point interactions. Adversaries can leverage this flaw to disrupt service by causing a crash in the modem stack, effectively rendering the device unable to communicate on cellular networks until it is rebooted or patched. This denial of service capability undermines the availability principle of information security and can be used for targeted harassment or as part of a broader campaign to degrade communication capabilities in specific geographic areas. The reliance on physical proximity means that while the attack surface is limited by radio range, the ease of setup using software-defined radio equipment makes it accessible to attackers with moderate technical resources.
Mitigation strategies primarily focus on applying the vendor-provided patch MOLY01775984 which addresses the missing bounds check within the modem firmware. Device manufacturers must ensure that this update is distributed and installed promptly across affected device models. For end-users, maintaining up-to-date operating system versions is crucial to receiving these security fixes automatically through over-the-air updates. Additionally, while technical controls are limited due to the nature of cellular protocols requiring connection to available networks, users can reduce exposure by disabling automatic network selection features if possible and avoiding connecting to unknown or suspicious Wi-Fi hotspots that might facilitate man-in-the-middle attacks preceding the cellular exploitation. Network operators also play a role in detecting anomalous base station behaviors through signaling monitoring systems, although individual device-level protection remains dependent on firmware integrity.