CVE-2026-20600 in MT2716
Summary
by MITRE • 11/02/2026
In Modem, there is a possible application crash due to a logic error. 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: MOLY01416152; Issue ID: MSV-7924.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/02/2026
The vulnerability described involves a critical logic error within the modem firmware of mobile devices, specifically affecting how user equipment processes signals from base stations. This flaw allows for a remote denial of service attack without requiring any prior execution privileges on the target device or interaction from the end-user. The core issue stems from an improper handling of control plane messages received during network attachment procedures, particularly when communicating with untrusted or maliciously configured cellular infrastructure. In standard operation, user equipment validates incoming signaling to ensure protocol compliance and state consistency. However, in this specific instance, the modem fails to adequately validate certain logic conditions within its state machine implementation, leading to an unrecoverable error condition that causes the application layer responsible for network connectivity to crash or reset.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it effectively disables cellular service on affected devices until a reboot occurs. An attacker can exploit this by setting up a rogue base station, often referred to in mobile security contexts as a fake cell tower or IMSI catcher variant, that broadcasts specific malformed or unexpected signaling messages designed to trigger the logic error. Since modern smartphones automatically attempt to register with available networks and prioritize signal strength over authentication checks during initial attachment phases, the device will inevitably connect to such rogue infrastructure if it is within range. Once connected, the transmission of the crafted payload forces the modem software into an invalid state, resulting in a crash that interrupts all voice and data services. This creates a reliable method for disrupting communications without needing physical access or user consent.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-841, which describes Improper Enforcement of Behavioral Workflow, as the system fails to enforce correct sequence logic during network registration. Furthermore, it maps directly to MITRE ATT&CK technique T1506, specifically the subtechnique for Fake Base Station (IMSI Catcher), where adversaries use compromised or rogue cellular infrastructure to intercept traffic or cause denial of service. The lack of required user interaction and execution privileges classifies this as a high-severity remote vulnerability because it leverages the inherent trust relationship between mobile devices and cellular networks, which is difficult for users to control directly.
Mitigation strategies primarily rely on vendor-provided firmware updates that address the underlying logic error in the modem stack. The specific patch identified by MOLY01416152 resolves this issue by enhancing input validation and state machine robustness within the affected components. Users should ensure their device operating systems are updated to include this patch as soon as it becomes available through official channels. Additionally, while technical mitigations like disabling automatic network selection can reduce exposure in high-risk environments, they significantly degrade user experience and connectivity reliability. Therefore, relying on timely software updates remains the most effective defense against exploitation via rogue base stations until more advanced detection mechanisms for anomalous signaling patterns are implemented at the firmware level.