System crash via modem null-pointer dereference
Published Dec 2, 2025 · Updated Dec 2, 2025
A null pointer dereference in MediaTek Modem allows remote attackers controlling a rogue base station to crash a connected UE. The modem processes improperly validated base-station input and dereferences a null pointer, causing a system crash; MediaTek has not disclosed the specific message handler or malformed field. Exploitation requires the UE to connect to an attacker-controlled rogue base station, needs no user interaction, and affects availability only.
Summary
What happened
A null pointer dereference in MediaTek Modem allows remote attackers controlling a rogue base station to crash a connected UE. The modem processes improperly validated base-station input and dereferences a null pointer, causing a system crash; MediaTek has not disclosed the specific message handler or malformed field. Exploitation requires the UE to connect to an attacker-controlled rogue base station, needs no user interaction, and affects availability only.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2025-20790
- Published
- Dec 2, 2025
- Updated
- Dec 2, 2025
- Vendor
- Unknown vendor
- Product
- Unknown product
- Classifications
- CWE-476, T1642
- Attack vector
- adjacent
- Privileges
- Unavailable
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Dec 2, 2025CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Dec 2, 2025Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
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What is affected?
Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.
Published CVSS scores
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Attacks
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Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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