CVE-2025-61607 is a vulnerability identified in the NR (New Radio) modem firmware of Unisoc (Shanghai) Technologies Co., Ltd. chipsets T8100, T9100, T8200, and T8300, which are integrated into devices running Android versions 13 through 16. The root cause is improper input validation (CWE-20) within the modem's processing of network data, which can be exploited remotely by an attacker to induce a system crash, leading to a denial of service (DoS) condition. The attack vector is network-based (AV:N), requiring no privileges (PR:N) or user interaction (UI:N), and has low complexity (AC:L), making exploitation feasible without sophisticated means. The vulnerability does not compromise confidentiality or integrity but severely impacts availability by crashing the modem subsystem, which can disrupt cellular connectivity and device functionality. No patches or mitigations have been released at the time of disclosure, and no active exploitation has been reported. The vulnerability affects a broad range of Android versions, indicating a wide potential attack surface. The NR modem is critical for 5G communications, so disruption can affect voice, data, and emergency services. The lack of authentication requirements means attackers can target devices remotely over the cellular network. This vulnerability highlights the importance of rigorous input validation in modem firmware, given its exposure to untrusted network inputs.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-61607 is the potential for remote denial of service on devices using affected Unisoc chipsets, which could disrupt mobile communications and operational continuity. Enterprises relying on mobile endpoints for critical communications, remote work, or IoT deployments may experience service outages or degraded connectivity. Telecommunications providers using Unisoc-based infrastructure components could face network instability or customer service interruptions. The disruption of cellular services could also impact emergency response systems and public safety communications in affected regions. Although the vulnerability does not allow data theft or privilege escalation, the loss of availability can have cascading effects on business operations, especially in sectors like finance, healthcare, and transportation that depend on reliable mobile connectivity. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but the ease of exploitation and broad device coverage necessitate proactive measures. The impact is amplified in countries with high penetration of Unisoc chipset devices and critical dependence on mobile networks for economic and social activities.

European organizations should implement a multi-layered mitigation strategy: 1) Maintain an up-to-date inventory of devices and infrastructure components using Unisoc T8100/T9100/T8200/T8300 chipsets to identify vulnerable assets. 2) Monitor vendor communications closely for firmware or software patches addressing this vulnerability and apply them promptly once available. 3) Employ network-level filtering and anomaly detection on cellular traffic to identify and block malformed or suspicious NR modem packets that could trigger the crash. 4) Collaborate with mobile network operators to understand exposure and coordinate defensive measures, including potential network segmentation or traffic rate limiting. 5) For critical endpoints, consider fallback communication methods or redundancy to mitigate the impact of potential service disruptions. 6) Educate IT and security teams about the vulnerability’s characteristics to enhance incident detection and response capabilities. 7) Engage with device manufacturers and vendors to advocate for timely patch development and deployment. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on device-specific inventory, network traffic controls tailored to NR modem protocols, and cross-sector coordination.