CVE-2025-27048 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-822 (Untrusted Pointer Dereference) found in Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets, specifically within the camera platform driver’s IOCTL call processing. The flaw arises when the driver improperly handles pointers passed from user space, leading to memory corruption. This can result in arbitrary code execution, privilege escalation, or denial of service on affected devices. The vulnerability impacts a wide range of Snapdragon components including FastConnect 6900 and 7800, QCC2072, SC8380XP, multiple WCD and WSA series chips, and several X-series models. The attack vector is local (AV:L), requiring low privileges (PR:L) but no user interaction (UI:N), making it feasible for an attacker with limited access to exploit the flaw. The vulnerability affects confidentiality, integrity, and availability (all rated high), indicating that exploitation could lead to full system compromise or data leakage. Although no public exploits are known yet, the vulnerability’s nature and affected components make it a critical concern for devices relying on these chipsets, including smartphones, IoT devices, and embedded systems. The absence of patches at the time of publication necessitates immediate risk mitigation and monitoring. Qualcomm’s assignment of the CVE and the detailed CVSS vector confirm the high-risk profile of this issue.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-27048 is significant due to the widespread use of Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets in mobile devices, IoT endpoints, and embedded systems. Exploitation could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, execute arbitrary code, or disrupt device functionality, potentially affecting business continuity and data privacy compliance under GDPR. Critical sectors such as telecommunications, manufacturing, healthcare, and government agencies that rely on Snapdragon-powered devices for communication and operational technology are particularly at risk. The vulnerability’s local attack vector means insider threats or malware with limited privileges could leverage this flaw to escalate privileges or cause denial of service. Given the high confidentiality and integrity impact, data breaches or manipulation could occur, undermining trust and regulatory compliance. The lack of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive defense, but the high severity score indicates urgent attention is required to prevent future exploitation.

European organizations should implement a multi-layered mitigation strategy beyond generic advice: 1) Enforce strict access controls to limit local access to devices with affected Snapdragon chipsets, including endpoint privilege management and network segmentation. 2) Monitor and audit IOCTL calls and driver interactions for anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. 3) Collaborate with device manufacturers and Qualcomm to obtain and deploy security patches as soon as they become available. 4) Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting memory corruption and unusual driver activity. 5) Educate users and administrators about the risks of local privilege escalation vulnerabilities and the importance of device hygiene. 6) For IoT deployments, isolate vulnerable devices and apply compensating controls such as network-level filtering and strict device authentication. 7) Maintain up-to-date inventories of devices and chipsets to prioritize patching and risk assessment efforts. 8) Consider temporary disabling or restricting camera functionalities if feasible until patches are applied, to reduce attack surface.