CVE-2025-3459 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting the ON Semiconductor Quantenna Wi-Fi chipset, specifically through version 8.0.0.28 of its SDK. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-88, which involves improper neutralization of argument delimiters in a command, commonly known as argument injection. The issue arises in a local control script named transmit_file that ships with the chipset. This script fails to properly sanitize or neutralize input arguments, allowing an attacker to inject arbitrary commands. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 7.7, indicating a high impact, with the vector AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N. This means the attack requires local access (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges (PR:N), and no user interaction (UI:N). The scope is unchanged (S:U), but the impact on confidentiality and integrity is high (C:H/I:H), while availability is unaffected (A:N). Although no known exploits are reported in the wild yet and no patches are available at the time of publication, the vendor has issued a best practices guide for implementors. The vulnerability allows an attacker with local access to execute arbitrary commands with potentially high confidentiality and integrity impact, such as reading sensitive data or modifying device behavior. Given the chipset's role in Wi-Fi connectivity, exploitation could compromise network security and device trustworthiness.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses significant risks, especially in sectors relying heavily on secure wireless communications such as telecommunications, critical infrastructure, manufacturing, and enterprise environments. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information transmitted over Wi-Fi networks or manipulation of device configurations, undermining network integrity. Since the attack requires local access, the threat is more pronounced in environments where physical or local network access is possible, such as corporate offices, data centers, or public access points. Compromise of Wi-Fi chipsets in routers or access points could facilitate lateral movement within networks or serve as a foothold for further attacks. The high confidentiality and integrity impact could result in data breaches, espionage, or disruption of business operations. Additionally, given the chipset's embedded nature, remediation might be challenging, increasing exposure duration.

Organizations should immediately identify devices using the affected Quantenna Wi-Fi chipset versions through asset inventories and network device audits. Since no patches are currently available, implementers should follow the vendor's best practices guide to harden device configurations and restrict local access to trusted personnel only. Network segmentation should be enforced to isolate vulnerable devices from sensitive network segments. Monitoring and logging local access attempts to these devices can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Where possible, replace or upgrade affected devices to versions incorporating fixes once available. Additionally, applying strict access controls, disabling unnecessary local interfaces, and employing network-level protections such as intrusion detection systems tailored to detect anomalous command injection behaviors can reduce risk. Vendor engagement to prioritize patch development and timely deployment is critical.