CVE-2026-20593 in MT2716
Summary
by MITRE • 11/02/2026
In Modem, there is a possible application crash due to improper input validation. 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: MOLY01707455; Issue ID: MSV-9503.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/02/2026
The vulnerability described involves a critical flaw within the modem firmware of mobile devices, specifically related to improper input validation mechanisms when processing data received from base stations. This security defect allows for remote denial of service attacks without requiring any prior execution privileges on the target device or user interaction. The attack vector relies on the fundamental architecture of cellular networks where User Equipment, commonly referred to as a UE, must establish and maintain communication with nearby cell towers or base stations to function within a network. In this scenario, an attacker can deploy a rogue base station that mimics legitimate network infrastructure but is designed specifically to exploit weaknesses in the modem's protocol stack implementation.
When a vulnerable device attempts to register with or communicate through this malicious base station, it processes incoming signaling messages and data packets without adequately verifying their structure, length, or content integrity. The lack of rigorous input validation means that malformed or specially crafted inputs can trigger unhandled exceptions within the modem software. These exceptions typically result in a crash of the modem subsystem or the entire device application layer responsible for network connectivity. Because this process occurs at the protocol handling level before any user interface is invoked, the exploitation requires no physical access to the device and does not depend on social engineering tactics such as phishing links or malicious app installations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe in terms of service availability. A successful exploit results in a remote denial of service condition where the affected mobile device loses its ability to connect to cellular networks, make calls, send messages, or access data services. This effectively bricks the communication capabilities of the target until it is rebooted or reconnected to a trusted network that does not trigger the flaw. For users relying on their devices for emergency communications or critical business operations, this disruption can have significant real-world consequences. Furthermore, because the attack requires only proximity to a rogue base station, it poses a threat in public spaces where attackers might deploy portable jamming equipment disguised as legitimate cell towers.
From a classification perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-20 Improper Input Validation and CWE-400 Uncontrolled Resource Consumption if the crash stems from resource exhaustion due to malformed packets. In terms of offensive security frameworks, it maps to MITRE ATT&CK techniques related to Denial of Service against networked devices or endpoints. The exploitation method resembles aspects of IMSI catchers or Stingray operations but focuses on disruption rather than interception, leveraging the trust relationship inherent in cellular protocols where UEs are expected to accept commands from base stations without deep inspection.
Mitigation strategies primarily involve applying vendor-provided firmware updates that address the specific input validation gaps identified by the manufacturer. The patch identifier MOLY01707455 indicates a targeted fix for this issue within the MediaTek-based modem software stack, as suggested by the Moly prefix often associated with such chipsets. Device manufacturers and carriers must ensure timely distribution of these patches to end-users through over-the-air updates or manual firmware installations. Additionally, users can mitigate risk in high-threat environments by manually disabling automatic network selection features if available on their devices, forcing them to connect only to known trusted networks rather than accepting connections from any detected base station. Network operators should also implement monitoring systems capable of detecting anomalous signaling traffic patterns indicative of rogue base stations attempting to exploit such vulnerabilities.