CVE-2025-27049 is a buffer over-read vulnerability classified under CWE-126, identified in multiple Qualcomm Snapdragon platforms and associated components, including FastConnect modules, Snapdragon compute platforms, and audio subsystems. The flaw arises during the handling of an IOCTL (Input/Output Control) call related to image encoding processes. Specifically, the vulnerability allows an attacker with low-level privileges (PR:L) and local access to trigger a buffer over-read condition, which leads to a transient denial of service (DoS) by causing the affected component to malfunction or crash temporarily. The vulnerability does not require user interaction (UI:N) and does not affect confidentiality or integrity, but it impacts availability (A:H). The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.5, reflecting a medium severity level due to the limited scope of impact and the requirement for local privileges. The affected versions span a wide range of Qualcomm products, including FastConnect 6700, 6900, 7800, QCC and QCM series chips, Snapdragon 7c+ Gen 3 Compute, Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 Compute platforms, and various WCD and WSA audio components. These components are embedded in numerous mobile devices, IoT devices, and compute platforms. No public exploits or active exploitation have been reported as of the publication date. The vulnerability was reserved in February 2025 and published in October 2025, with no patch links currently available, indicating that remediation may still be pending or in development.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-27049 is the potential for transient denial of service on devices utilizing the affected Qualcomm Snapdragon components. This could disrupt critical services relying on mobile and embedded devices, such as communication infrastructure, IoT deployments, and enterprise mobile endpoints. Although the vulnerability does not compromise data confidentiality or integrity, availability interruptions could affect operational continuity, especially in sectors like telecommunications, manufacturing, and public services that depend on reliable device performance. The requirement for local access and low privileges limits remote exploitation risks but raises concerns for insider threats or compromised devices within organizational networks. The broad range of affected products means that many device types, from smartphones to compute modules and audio devices, could be impacted, increasing the attack surface. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but underscores the need for proactive mitigation to prevent future exploitation.

Organizations should monitor Qualcomm’s advisories closely and apply patches promptly once they become available. In the interim, restrict access to vulnerable IOCTL interfaces by enforcing strict access controls and limiting local user privileges on affected devices. Employ device management solutions to inventory and identify devices containing the affected Qualcomm components to prioritize remediation efforts. Network segmentation can help isolate vulnerable devices to reduce the risk of lateral movement in case of compromise. Additionally, implement monitoring for unusual device crashes or service interruptions that may indicate exploitation attempts. For embedded and IoT devices where patching is challenging, consider deploying compensating controls such as application whitelisting and enhanced endpoint detection to mitigate potential exploitation. Engage with device vendors to confirm patch availability and timelines, and plan for device firmware updates as part of regular maintenance cycles.