CVE-2025-21488 is a high-severity buffer over-read vulnerability (CWE-126) affecting a broad range of Qualcomm Snapdragon platforms and associated wireless connectivity modules. The vulnerability arises during the decoding of RTP (Real-time Transport Protocol) packet headers received by the User Equipment (UE) from the network when the RTP padding bit is set. Specifically, the flaw causes the device to read beyond the allocated buffer boundaries while processing these RTP packet headers, leading to information disclosure. This vulnerability impacts numerous Qualcomm FastConnect modules, Snapdragon mobile platforms spanning multiple generations (including automotive, wearable, and XR platforms), and various wireless connectivity chips (e.g., WCD and WCN series). The CVSS v3.1 base score is 8.2, indicating a high severity with network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, and no user interaction needed. The impact primarily concerns confidentiality, as attackers can potentially extract sensitive information from device memory by sending specially crafted RTP packets with the padding bit set. The vulnerability does not affect integrity or availability directly but could be leveraged as part of a larger attack chain. No public exploits are known at this time, and Qualcomm has not yet published patches. The vulnerability affects devices that process RTP streams, commonly used in VoIP, video conferencing, and multimedia streaming applications, making it relevant for mobile phones, automotive infotainment systems, XR devices, and other Snapdragon-powered equipment. Given the extensive list of affected products, the vulnerability has a broad attack surface across consumer and enterprise devices relying on Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets for wireless communication and multimedia processing.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk due to the widespread use of Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets in smartphones, automotive systems, and IoT devices. Confidentiality breaches could lead to leakage of sensitive communications, including voice and video data transmitted over RTP streams. Enterprises relying on mobile devices for secure communications or automotive manufacturers using affected Snapdragon platforms in connected vehicles may face data exposure risks. The vulnerability could also undermine trust in telecommunication services and multimedia collaboration tools widely used in corporate environments. Although no known exploits exist yet, the low complexity and network-based attack vector mean attackers could remotely target vulnerable devices without user interaction, increasing the threat to European businesses and consumers. The potential for information disclosure could facilitate further attacks such as targeted espionage, surveillance, or data theft. Critical infrastructure sectors that use Snapdragon-based devices for communication or monitoring might also be indirectly impacted if attackers leverage this vulnerability to gather intelligence. The lack of patches at present necessitates immediate risk management and mitigation to prevent exploitation.

1. Immediate mitigation involves network-level filtering to detect and block suspicious RTP packets with anomalous padding bits, potentially using deep packet inspection tools to identify malformed RTP streams. 2. Organizations should monitor network traffic for unusual RTP activity and implement anomaly detection to flag potential exploitation attempts. 3. Device owners should apply firmware and software updates from Qualcomm or device manufacturers as soon as patches become available. 4. For critical environments, consider isolating vulnerable devices from untrusted networks or restricting RTP traffic to trusted sources only. 5. Employ endpoint security solutions capable of detecting abnormal memory access patterns or unusual RTP packet processing behaviors. 6. Engage with device vendors and mobile operators to confirm patch availability timelines and coordinate timely deployment. 7. For automotive and IoT deployments, implement layered security controls including network segmentation and secure update mechanisms to reduce exposure. 8. Educate users and administrators about the risks of RTP-based attacks and encourage vigilance for suspicious device behavior or network anomalies. These targeted measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on RTP traffic characteristics, device-specific patching, and network monitoring tailored to the nature of this vulnerability.