CVE-2025-21432 is a high-severity vulnerability identified in a broad range of Qualcomm Snapdragon platforms and associated chipsets. The vulnerability is classified as CWE-415, a double free memory corruption issue, which occurs during the retrieval of CBOR (Concise Binary Object Representation) data from a Trusted Application (TA). Double free vulnerabilities arise when a program attempts to free the same memory location twice, leading to undefined behavior including potential memory corruption, crashes, or arbitrary code execution. In this case, the flaw exists in the memory management routines handling CBOR data within the Snapdragon Trusted Execution Environment (TEE) or related secure components. The affected products span a vast array of Qualcomm hardware, including mobile platforms (Snapdragon 4, 7, 8 series), connectivity modules (FastConnect series), automotive and robotics platforms, and modem-RF systems. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.8, indicating a high severity with the vector AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. This means the attack requires local access with low privileges and no user interaction, but can result in high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Exploitation could allow an attacker with limited local privileges to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service by corrupting memory, potentially compromising the secure environment or leaking sensitive data. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the extensive list of affected devices and the critical nature of the vulnerability make it a significant risk. Qualcomm has not yet published patches, so mitigation relies on detection and risk management until updates are available.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-21432 is substantial due to the widespread use of Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets in mobile devices, IoT, automotive systems, and industrial robotics. Enterprises relying on mobile communications, secure authentication, or edge computing devices with affected Snapdragon platforms could face risks of data breaches, unauthorized code execution, or service disruption. The vulnerability compromises the Trusted Execution Environment, which is critical for protecting cryptographic keys, secure boot processes, and sensitive operations. This could undermine device integrity and confidentiality, affecting sectors such as finance, healthcare, telecommunications, and critical infrastructure. Automotive and robotics platforms impacted by this flaw may lead to safety risks or operational failures in manufacturing or transport systems. The local attack vector implies that attackers need some level of access to the device, which could be achieved through physical access, malicious apps, or compromised local networks. Given the high confidentiality and integrity impact, sensitive European organizations must prioritize addressing this vulnerability to prevent espionage, sabotage, or data leakage.

1. Monitor vendor communications closely for Qualcomm patches and apply them promptly once available. 2. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of identifying anomalous local privilege escalation or memory corruption behaviors on devices with Snapdragon chipsets. 3. Restrict local access to devices, enforcing strict physical security and limiting installation of untrusted applications to reduce attack surface. 4. Use mobile device management (MDM) tools to enforce security policies, including application whitelisting and privilege restrictions. 5. For automotive and robotics systems, implement network segmentation and strict access controls to isolate vulnerable components. 6. Conduct regular firmware and software integrity checks to detect unauthorized modifications. 7. Educate users and administrators about the risks of local attacks and the importance of applying updates. 8. Where possible, disable or limit features that involve CBOR data retrieval from untrusted sources within the TEE. 9. Collaborate with device manufacturers and suppliers to ensure timely vulnerability management and incident response readiness.