CVE-2025-21464 is a medium-severity vulnerability classified under CWE-125 (Out-of-bounds Read) affecting a wide range of Qualcomm Snapdragon products, including various mobile platforms, modems, compute platforms, and wireless connectivity chips. The vulnerability arises from improper handling of image data where the software reads data from an image using specified offset and size parameters without adequate bounds checking. This flaw allows an attacker with limited privileges (local access with low privileges) to cause an out-of-bounds read, leading to potential information disclosure. The vulnerability does not require user interaction and has a scope that can affect confidentiality but not integrity or availability. The CVSS v3.1 score is 6.5, reflecting a medium severity due to the local attack vector and the requirement for low privileges. The affected products span a vast array of Snapdragon chipsets used in smartphones, IoT devices, automotive platforms, wearable devices, and networking equipment. The flaw could be exploited to leak sensitive data from memory, which might include cryptographic keys, user data, or other confidential information processed by the affected components. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the extensive product list and the critical role of Snapdragon components in modern devices make this vulnerability significant for security posture.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-21464 can be substantial, especially for sectors relying heavily on mobile communications, IoT deployments, automotive telematics, and enterprise mobile computing. Confidentiality breaches could expose sensitive corporate data, user credentials, or proprietary information, potentially leading to espionage, data leaks, or compliance violations under GDPR. The vulnerability's presence in automotive platforms (e.g., Snapdragon Auto 5G Modem-RF) raises concerns for connected vehicles and smart transportation systems prevalent in Europe, potentially affecting safety-critical systems if attackers leverage leaked information for further attacks. Enterprises using Snapdragon-based devices for remote work or IoT infrastructure may face increased risk of targeted attacks exploiting this flaw to gain intelligence or facilitate lateral movement. The broad range of affected devices means that supply chain security and device management become critical, as unpatched devices could serve as entry points or data leakage sources. Although the vulnerability requires local access with low privileges, compromised devices or insider threats could exploit it to escalate information gathering capabilities.

Mitigation should focus on a multi-layered approach: 1) Immediate patching is ideal; however, no patch links are currently provided, so organizations should monitor Qualcomm advisories and vendor updates closely for firmware or software patches addressing this issue. 2) Employ strict device management policies to limit local access to trusted users and processes, reducing the risk of exploitation by low-privilege attackers. 3) Implement runtime protections such as memory protection mechanisms and exploit mitigation technologies (e.g., DEP, ASLR) on affected devices where feasible. 4) For automotive and IoT deployments, enforce network segmentation and strong authentication to limit exposure of vulnerable devices. 5) Conduct thorough inventory and risk assessments to identify all devices using affected Snapdragon components and prioritize them for monitoring and patching. 6) Use endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools to detect anomalous local access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. 7) Educate users and administrators about the risks of local privilege misuse and enforce least privilege principles. 8) Collaborate with device manufacturers and suppliers to ensure timely updates and vulnerability disclosures.