Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities

CVE-2025-20788: GPU PDMA Memory Corruption Vulnerability – A Deep Dive

Overview

CVE-2025-20788 describes a memory corruption vulnerability discovered in the GPU PDMA (Peripheral Direct Memory Access) implementation. The flaw stems from a missing permission check, potentially allowing a local attacker to trigger a denial-of-service (DoS) condition. Exploitation requires user interaction. A patch is available to address this issue.

Technical Details

The vulnerability resides within the GPU PDMA subsystem. The missing permission check could allow an attacker to manipulate memory regions in an unintended manner. This unauthorized memory access can lead to memory corruption, causing the device to crash or become unstable. The assigned Patch ID for this issue is ALPS10117735 and the MediaTek Issue ID is MSV-4539.

CVSS Analysis

Currently, the CVSS score and severity for CVE-2025-20788 are listed as N/A (Not Available). While specific scoring is absent, the description indicates a denial-of-service impact with local access, suggesting a moderate-risk vulnerability.

Possible Impact

Successful exploitation of CVE-2025-20788 can lead to the following:

  • Denial of Service (DoS): The primary impact is a local denial of service. This means the affected device may become unusable due to crashing or instability.
  • Limited Scope: As a local DoS vulnerability, it does not directly lead to remote code execution or data theft without further exploitation.

It’s important to note that while no additional execution privileges are needed, user interaction is required, likely limiting the ease and scope of exploitation.

Mitigation and Patch Steps

The recommended mitigation is to apply the security patch provided by MediaTek. The relevant patch ID is ALPS10117735. Users should check for system updates from their device manufacturers or software providers to receive the patched version. Specific steps may include:

  1. Check for system updates on your device.
  2. Install any available updates promptly.
  3. Contact your device manufacturer if updates are not readily available.

References

Cybersecurity specialist and founder of Gowri Shankar Infosec - a professional blog dedicated to sharing actionable insights on cybersecurity, data protection, server administration, and compliance frameworks including SOC 2, PCI DSS, and GDPR.

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