CVE-2022-25667 is an information disclosure vulnerability found in the kernel of Qualcomm's Snapdragon Wired Infrastructure and Networking products. The root cause is improper handling of ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol) requests within the kernel, which can lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information. This vulnerability affects a broad range of Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets and networking platforms, including but not limited to the IPQ and QCA series (e.g., IPQ4018, QCA9880, QCN9000). These chipsets are commonly embedded in networking equipment such as routers, gateways, and other wired infrastructure devices. The vulnerability arises because the kernel does not adequately validate or restrict ICMP request processing, potentially allowing an attacker to craft malicious ICMP packets that trigger the leak of kernel memory or other sensitive data. Since the vulnerability resides in the kernel, it impacts the core operating system layer responsible for managing hardware and network communications. Exploitation does not require authentication or user interaction, as ICMP packets can be sent remotely over the network. However, the vulnerability is limited to devices using the affected Qualcomm Snapdragon platforms. No known exploits have been reported in the wild as of the publication date (November 15, 2022), and Qualcomm has not yet released patches. The CWE classification CWE-287 indicates an authentication bypass or improper authentication mechanism, consistent with the kernel improperly handling ICMP requests without sufficient validation. Overall, this vulnerability could allow remote attackers to gain access to sensitive kernel information, which could be leveraged for further attacks such as privilege escalation or network reconnaissance.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-25667 could be significant, especially for those relying on networking equipment powered by affected Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets. Information disclosure at the kernel level can expose sensitive data such as memory contents, kernel pointers, or cryptographic material, potentially enabling attackers to map network infrastructure, bypass security controls, or prepare for more severe attacks like remote code execution. Critical infrastructure providers, telecommunications companies, and enterprises with extensive wired network deployments are particularly at risk. The vulnerability could undermine the confidentiality and integrity of network communications and device operations. Since the vulnerability can be exploited remotely without authentication, attackers could scan for vulnerable devices across European networks and extract sensitive information, increasing the attack surface. The absence of patches and known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but also means organizations must proactively assess and mitigate exposure. Given the widespread use of Qualcomm Snapdragon platforms in networking hardware, the scope of affected systems in Europe is broad, potentially impacting both private sector and government networks. Disruption or compromise of network infrastructure could have cascading effects on business continuity and data protection compliance under regulations such as GDPR.

1. Inventory and Identify: European organizations should conduct a thorough inventory of their networking devices to identify those using affected Qualcomm Snapdragon platforms. This includes routers, gateways, and wired infrastructure equipment from vendors that incorporate these chipsets. 2. Network Segmentation: Isolate vulnerable devices in dedicated network segments with strict access controls to limit exposure to untrusted networks and reduce the risk of remote exploitation via ICMP. 3. ICMP Filtering: Implement network-level filtering to restrict or block ICMP traffic from untrusted sources, especially ICMP request types that could trigger the vulnerability. This can be done via firewall rules or router ACLs. 4. Monitor Network Traffic: Deploy intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) tuned to detect anomalous or malformed ICMP packets that could indicate exploitation attempts. 5. Vendor Coordination: Engage with device vendors and Qualcomm for updates or patches addressing this vulnerability. Apply firmware or software updates promptly once available. 6. Temporary Workarounds: Where patches are unavailable, consider disabling ICMP processing on affected devices if operationally feasible, or apply kernel-level hardening measures if supported. 7. Incident Response Preparedness: Prepare to detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts by enhancing logging and alerting on suspicious ICMP activity. 8. Risk Assessment: Evaluate the criticality of affected devices and prioritize mitigation efforts accordingly, focusing on devices in sensitive or high-value network segments.