CVE-2024-45583 is a use-after-free vulnerability (CWE-416) identified in Qualcomm Snapdragon components, specifically affecting FastConnect 7800, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform, and several related wireless audio and communication chips (WCD9390, WCD9395, WSA8840, WSA8845, WSA8845H). The flaw arises from improper memory management during the handling of multiple IOCTL (Input/Output Control) calls from userspace that operate DMA (Direct Memory Access) operations. Use-after-free vulnerabilities occur when a program continues to use memory after it has been freed, leading to memory corruption. In this case, the vulnerability could allow a local attacker with limited privileges (PR:L) to exploit the flaw without requiring user interaction (UI:N). The CVSS v3.1 score is 6.6 (medium severity), with a vector indicating local attack vector, low attack complexity, and partial confidentiality impact (high), limited integrity impact (low), and limited availability impact (low). Exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information due to memory corruption, though full system compromise or denial of service is less likely given the limited integrity and availability impacts. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability affects critical mobile and wireless communication components widely used in modern smartphones and connected devices, making it a significant concern for device security and privacy.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-45583 is primarily on the confidentiality of sensitive data processed or stored on affected Snapdragon-based devices. Many enterprises and government agencies rely on mobile devices powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon platforms for secure communications, remote work, and sensitive data access. Exploitation could lead to leakage of confidential information, potentially exposing corporate secrets, personal data protected under GDPR, or government communications. Although the attack requires local access and limited privileges, the widespread use of these components in mobile devices means that insider threats or malware that gains local execution could leverage this vulnerability. The limited integrity and availability impact reduce the risk of system-wide disruption, but data confidentiality breaches remain a critical concern. Additionally, the vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted attacks against high-value individuals or organizations, especially where mobile device security is paramount. The lack of current exploits provides a window for mitigation, but the medium severity score indicates that timely patching and risk management are essential to prevent potential exploitation.

Given the absence of available patches, European organizations should implement a multi-layered mitigation approach. First, restrict local access to devices running affected Snapdragon components by enforcing strong endpoint security controls, including device encryption, robust authentication, and limiting physical access. Employ mobile device management (MDM) solutions to monitor and control device configurations and detect unusual IOCTL call patterns or privilege escalations. Educate users about the risks of installing untrusted applications that could exploit local vulnerabilities. Network segmentation and zero-trust principles should be applied to minimize lateral movement if a device is compromised. Organizations should maintain up-to-date inventories of devices with affected Snapdragon versions to prioritize patch deployment once Qualcomm releases fixes. Additionally, monitoring for anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation attempts, such as unusual memory access patterns or crashes related to DMA operations, can provide early warning. Collaboration with device vendors and Qualcomm for timely updates and applying firmware or OS-level patches as soon as they become available is critical. Finally, consider applying application whitelisting and restricting the use of privileged IOCTL calls to trusted applications only.