CVE-2025-47372 is a classic buffer overflow vulnerability (CWE-120) identified in Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets, specifically affecting a broad range of versions including QAM8255P, QAM8620P, SA9000P, and others. The vulnerability arises when a corrupted ELF (Executable and Linkable Format) image containing an oversized file size is read into a buffer without proper size validation, leading to memory corruption. This flaw does not require any authentication or user interaction, making it easier for an attacker with local access to exploit. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality and integrity severely by allowing an attacker to potentially execute arbitrary code or leak sensitive information. The CVSS v3.1 score of 9.0 reflects its critical severity, with an attack vector classified as local (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), and no user interaction (UI:N). The scope is changed (S:C), indicating that exploitation can affect resources beyond the vulnerable component. Although no known exploits are currently in the wild, the vulnerability poses a significant risk due to the widespread use of affected Snapdragon chipsets in mobile devices, IoT, and embedded systems. The lack of available patches at the time of publication necessitates proactive mitigation strategies. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processors are integral to many devices used in telecommunications, automotive, and industrial sectors, increasing the potential impact of this vulnerability.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-47372 can be substantial. Snapdragon chipsets are embedded in numerous mobile devices, IoT devices, and network equipment used across Europe. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive corporate and personal data, compromise of device integrity, and potential disruption of services relying on affected hardware. Telecommunications providers using Snapdragon-based infrastructure could face risks to network security and customer data privacy. Critical infrastructure sectors such as automotive, manufacturing, and healthcare that deploy Snapdragon-powered embedded systems may experience operational disruptions or safety risks. The vulnerability’s ability to bypass authentication and cause memory corruption without user interaction increases the likelihood of stealthy attacks, complicating detection and response. Given the high mobile device penetration and reliance on connected devices in Europe, the threat could affect a broad range of industries and consumers, potentially leading to financial losses, regulatory penalties, and reputational damage.

1. Monitor Qualcomm’s official security advisories and apply patches immediately once they become available for all affected Snapdragon chipset versions. 2. Implement strict input validation and integrity checks on ELF images and other executable files processed by devices using Snapdragon chips to prevent malformed inputs from triggering the vulnerability. 3. Restrict local access to devices with affected chipsets by enforcing strong physical security controls and limiting administrative privileges. 4. Employ runtime protection mechanisms such as memory protection, stack canaries, and address space layout randomization (ASLR) where supported to mitigate exploitation attempts. 5. Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing focused on embedded systems and mobile devices to detect potential exploitation attempts. 6. Educate users and administrators about the risks of installing untrusted software or files that could contain corrupted ELF images. 7. Collaborate with device manufacturers and telecom providers to ensure secure firmware and software update mechanisms are in place to facilitate rapid patch deployment. 8. Consider network segmentation and monitoring to detect anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation attempts on affected devices.