CVE-2025-20697: 
NixOS vulnerability analysis and mitigation

In August 2025, MediaTek disclosed a medium-severity vulnerability (CVE-2025-20697) affecting the Power Hardware Abstraction Layer (Power HAL) in various MediaTek chipsets. The vulnerability was discovered and reported by an external researcher. This security flaw affects devices running Android 14.0 and 15.0, impacting numerous MediaTek chipset models including MT6765, MT6889, MT6989, and MT8893 series (MediaTek Bulletin).

The vulnerability is classified as an out-of-bounds write (CWE-787) due to a missing bounds check in the Power HAL component. According to the CVSS v3.1 assessment, it received a base score of 6.7 MEDIUM with the vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H (NVD).

If successfully exploited, this vulnerability could lead to local privilege escalation on affected devices. The impact is particularly significant for system-level operations, as it could allow an attacker who has already obtained system privileges to gain elevated access to the device (GBHackers).

MediaTek has addressed this vulnerability by releasing security patches and notifying device Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) at least two months prior to the public disclosure on August 4, 2025. Device manufacturers have been provided with corresponding security patches to address the vulnerability (MediaTek Bulletin).