Cyber Resilience

CVE-2025-20796

Google Android 15.0

Published
06 January 2026
Modified
08 January 2026
Patch / advisory
View advisory
CVSS Score v3.1 7.8
Click a component to see what it means
Raw vectorCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS Score 0.00072 0.1th percentile
Risk Priority 53 floored blend · peak EPSS

Summary

CVE-2025-20796 is a high-severity Improper Validation of Specified Index, Position, or Offset in Input (CWE-1285) vulnerability in Google Android. Its CVSS base score is 7.8 (High).

Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Exploitation for Privilege Escalation (T1068); ranked at the 0.1th percentile by exploit likelihood (below the median); it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

The strongest mitigations our analysis identified map to SI-10 (Information Input Validation) — see the control section below for these in your framework.

Deeper analysis AI-assisted summary

Synthesised by an AI model from the NVD description and linked references — a reading aid, not an authoritative source.

CVE-2025-20796 is an out-of-bounds write vulnerability in the imgsys component due to improper input validation. This issue affects MediaTek systems, as indicated by the associated patch ID ALPS10314745 and issue ID MSV-5553. The vulnerability carries a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.8 (AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H) and is linked to CWE-1285 (Out-of-bounds Write).

Exploitation requires a local attacker who has already obtained System privileges, with user interaction needed to trigger the issue. Successful exploitation could lead to local escalation of privilege, potentially granting higher-level access and resulting in high impacts to confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

MediaTek's January 2026 Product Security Bulletin at https://corp.mediatek.com/product-security-bulletin/January-2026 details the patch (ALPS10314745) addressing this vulnerability, recommending affected users apply the update to mitigate the risk of escalation from System privileges.

EU & UK References

Vulnerability Data

In imgsys, there is a possible out of bounds write due to improper input validation. This could lead to local escalation of privilege if a malicious actor has already obtained the System privilege. User interaction is needed for exploitation. Patch…

more

ID: ALPS10314745; Issue ID: MSV-5553.

CWE(s)
CWE-1285

Related Threats

MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise Techniques

T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation Privilege Escalation
Adversaries may exploit software vulnerabilities in an attempt to elevate privileges.
attack.mitre.org →
T1190 Exploit Public-Facing Application Initial Access
Adversaries may attempt to exploit a weakness in an Internet-facing host or system to initially access a network.
attack.mitre.org →
T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution Execution
Adversaries may exploit software vulnerabilities in client applications to execute code.
attack.mitre.org →
T1210 Exploitation of Remote Services Lateral Movement
Adversaries may exploit remote services to gain unauthorized access to internal systems once inside of a network.
attack.mitre.org →
T1212 Exploitation for Credential Access Credential Access
Adversaries may exploit software vulnerabilities in an attempt to collect credentials.
attack.mitre.org →
Derived from this CVE’s CWE(s) via the direct CWE→ATT&CK cross-walk.

CVEs Like This One

CVE-2024-20102Same product: Google Android
CVE-2024-20029Same product: Google Android
CVE-2026-20409Same product: Google Android
CVE-2024-20103Same product: Google Android
CVE-2025-20799Same product: Google Android
CVE-2024-20078Same product: Google Android
CVE-2025-20800Same product: Google Android
CVE-2026-20411Same product: Google Android
CVE-2024-20138Same product: Google Android
CVE-2025-20780Same product: Google Android

Affected Assets

google
android
15.0

Mitigating Controls

Control response

Prevent
Stop it (NIST 800-53)

—

Detect
Catch it (NIST detect / respond)

—

Harden
Shrink the surface (DISA STIG)

—

Validate
Prove the fix (OWASP ASVS)
  • V1.4.2
  • V2.1.1
  • V2.2.1
  • V2.2.2

Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5) AI

SI-10 Information Input Validation good match

Requires explicit validation of supplied indices/offsets/positions before they are used to access buffers or other indexable resources.

Mitigating Controls (NIST CSF 2.0) AI

Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→CSF cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.

PR.PS-06 mostly match
prevents

Secure SDLC practices directly require input validation, preventing this class of flaw at development time.

ID.RA-01 partial match
prevents

Vulnerability identification processes can discover missing index validation via scanning or reviews.

PR.PS-02 partial match
prevents

Patching and replacement can remediate instances of the weakness after discovery.

Mitigating Controls (ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Annex A) AI

Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→ISO cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.

A.8.29 Security testing in development and acceptance mostly match
finds

Security testing can detect missing or incorrect index validation during development and acceptance.

A.8.25 Secure development life cycle partial match
prevents

Secure development lifecycle includes input validation requirements that can prevent improper index handling.

A.8.26 Application security requirements partial match
prevents

Application security requirements typically mandate bounds checking and validation of offsets/indices.

A.8.27 Secure system architecture and engineering principles partial match
prevents

Secure architecture principles include defensive input validation and bounds checking for indexable resources.

A.8.28 Secure coding partial match
prevents

Secure coding standards directly require validation of indices, positions, and offsets before use.

References