CVE-2022-20074

Physical privilege escalation via unchecked partition write

Published Apr 11, 2022 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Out-of-bounds write in MediaTek preloader partition code on Android 10.0 through 12.0 allows physically proximate attackers to elevate privileges. The preloader's partition handling omits a bounds check before writing, so the write can extend beyond its intended buffer; MediaTek titles it as a read. Exploitation requires physical access to an affected chipset and user interaction, but no existing execution privileges, and grants elevated local privileges.

CVSS severity6.6
Medium
EPSS probability0.13%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Out-of-bounds write in MediaTek preloader partition code on Android 10.0 through 12.0 allows physically proximate attackers to elevate privileges. The preloader's partition handling omits a bounds check before writing, so the write can extend beyond its intended buffer; MediaTek titles it as a read. Exploitation requires physical access to an affected chipset and user interaction, but no existing execution privileges, and grants elevated local privileges.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-20074
Published
Apr 11, 2022
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-787, CWE-125, T1404
Attack vector
physical
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Apr 11, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 3, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorphysical
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

6.6NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
4.4NIST NVDAV:L/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorphysical
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-787Out-of-bounds Write
CWE-125Out-of-bounds Read
T1404Exploitation for Privilege Escalation

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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