CVE-2025-27053 is a vulnerability identified in Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets stemming from an incorrect calculation of buffer size (CWE-131) during the processing of Trusted Application (TA) commands within the PlayReady APP usecase. This flaw leads to memory corruption, which can be exploited to compromise system confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The vulnerability affects an extensive list of Snapdragon products, spanning mobile platforms (e.g., Snapdragon 8 Gen series, Snapdragon 7c Compute platforms), IoT modems, automotive platforms, wearable devices, and connectivity modules such as FastConnect and various LTE/5G modems. The root cause is a failure to correctly calculate buffer sizes, which can cause buffer overflows or under-allocations when handling TA commands, potentially allowing an attacker with local privileges to execute arbitrary code, escalate privileges, or cause denial of service. The CVSS v3.1 score is 7.8 (high), reflecting that exploitation requires low complexity but local privileges, no user interaction, and impacts all three security properties (confidentiality, integrity, availability). No public exploits are currently known, but the vulnerability's presence in widely deployed Snapdragon chipsets makes it a critical concern for device manufacturers and users. The vulnerability was reserved in February 2025 and published in October 2025, with Qualcomm as the assigner. No patches are linked yet, indicating that mitigation may rely on forthcoming vendor updates and interim protective measures.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-27053 is significant due to the widespread use of Snapdragon chipsets in smartphones, IoT devices, automotive systems, and enterprise mobile computing platforms. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, device takeover, or disruption of critical services, especially in sectors like telecommunications, automotive manufacturing, smart city infrastructure, and healthcare IoT. Memory corruption vulnerabilities can be leveraged to bypass security controls, potentially enabling attackers to implant persistent malware or disrupt device operations. Given the vulnerability requires local privileges, insider threats or malware already present on devices could escalate their capabilities. The broad range of affected Snapdragon platforms means that many devices in use across Europe, including those used by employees or embedded in industrial systems, are at risk. This could result in data breaches, operational downtime, and reputational damage. The automotive sector is particularly sensitive given the presence of Snapdragon automotive platforms, where exploitation could impact vehicle safety and functionality. Additionally, IoT devices with affected modems or connectivity modules could be compromised, affecting smart home or industrial automation deployments.

1. Monitor Qualcomm and device manufacturers for official patches addressing CVE-2025-27053 and apply them promptly across all affected devices and platforms. 2. Restrict access to Trusted Application (TA) command interfaces to trusted processes and users only, minimizing the risk of local exploitation. 3. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of identifying anomalous behavior indicative of memory corruption or privilege escalation attempts on Snapdragon-based devices. 4. For organizations deploying IoT or automotive devices with affected Snapdragon components, implement network segmentation and strict access controls to limit lateral movement in case of compromise. 5. Conduct regular security audits and firmware integrity checks on devices to detect unauthorized modifications or exploitation attempts. 6. Educate users and administrators about the risks of local privilege escalation vulnerabilities and enforce least privilege principles to reduce attack surface. 7. Where possible, disable or limit PlayReady APP usecase features if not required, to reduce exposure. 8. Collaborate with vendors to obtain timely security updates and verify patch deployment status across the device fleet. 9. Implement robust incident response plans tailored to memory corruption exploits, including forensic readiness and rapid containment strategies.