# CVE-2026-20581: MediaTek USB driver use-after-free memory corruption

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-20581-in-usb-there-is-a-possible-memory-corruption-due-to-use-after  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-11-02. Updated: 2026-11-02  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-20581 · Severity: info · Published 2026-11-02

A memory corruption vulnerability exists in MediaTek chipsets' USB driver code due to improper handling of freed memory objects. An attacker with System privilege on the device can exploit this flaw to escalate their privileges further, potentially gaining complete control over the device. No user interaction is required for exploitation.

Vendors: [MediaTek](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/mediatek).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-20581 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-20581 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-20581?** Informational severity, published 2 November 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** MediaTek Chipsets (multiple).

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-20581?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2026-20581 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in device firmware.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-20581?** Check whether you run MediaTek Chipsets (multiple). Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

A use-after-free vulnerability in the USB subsystem of MediaTek chipsets allows privilege escalation. The flaw requires that an attacker already possesses System privilege; the vulnerability then enables further escalation. The attack vector is local with no user interaction needed.

## Affected products

- MediaTek Chipsets (multiple)

## Timeline

- 2026-11-02: disclosed

## References

- [https://www.mediatek.com/product-security-bulletin/November-2026](https://www.mediatek.com/product-security-bulletin/November-2026)