Local privilege escalation via SurfaceFlinger use-after-free
Published Sep 7, 2026 · Updated Sep 8, 2026
Use-after-free memory corruption in MediaTek SurfaceFlinger allows local users with System privilege to escalate privileges on affected chipsets. SurfaceFlinger accesses memory after it has been freed, allowing memory corruption; MediaTek has not disclosed the affected function or object. Exploitation requires existing System privilege and no user interaction, and successful exploitation elevates privileges locally.
Summary
What happened
Use-after-free memory corruption in MediaTek SurfaceFlinger allows local users with System privilege to escalate privileges on affected chipsets. SurfaceFlinger accesses memory after it has been freed, allowing memory corruption; MediaTek has not disclosed the affected function or object. Exploitation requires existing System privilege and no user interaction, and successful exploitation elevates privileges locally.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-20511
- Published
- Sep 7, 2026
- Updated
- Sep 8, 2026
- Vendor
- MediaTek
- Product
- MediaTek Chipset
- Classifications
- CWE-416, T1068
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- admin
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Sep 7, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Sep 8, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=MT6858
- Affected versionversion=MT6881
- Affected versionversion=MT6993
- Affected versionversion=MT8668
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
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Public exploit references
No public exploit references are available in this record.
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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