CVE-2022-25682 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE • 12/13/2022
Memory corruption in MODEM UIM due to usage of out of range pointer offset while decoding command from card in Snapdragon Auto, Snapdragon Compute, Snapdragon Connectivity, Snapdragon Consumer IOT, Snapdragon Industrial IOT, Snapdragon Mobile, Snapdragon Voice & Music, Snapdragon Wearables
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/07/2026
CVE-2022-25682 represents a critical memory corruption vulnerability affecting the Universal Integrated Module UIM component within Qualcomm Snapdragon automotive and mobile platforms. This flaw manifests during the command decoding process from smart cards, where the system employs an out-of-range pointer offset that can lead to arbitrary code execution or system instability. The vulnerability resides in the modem subsystem's handling of Universal Integrated Module communications, which are essential for secure authentication and communication in mobile devices and automotive systems. The issue stems from inadequate bounds checking during the parsing of card commands, allowing attackers to manipulate memory layout through crafted card responses that exceed expected pointer boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows CWE-129, which addresses insufficient bounds checking in array indexing operations, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations. The flaw occurs when the UIM subsystem processes commands received from SIM cards or other secure elements, where the pointer arithmetic does not properly validate the offset values against the allocated memory boundaries. This creates a condition where an attacker can craft malicious card commands that cause the system to access memory locations outside the intended buffer, potentially leading to memory corruption that could be exploited for privilege escalation or denial of service attacks. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in automotive environments where secure communication with vehicle systems is paramount.
Operational impact of CVE-2022-25682 extends across multiple Qualcomm Snapdragon product lines including automotive platforms, mobile devices, wearable technology, and industrial IoT applications. The vulnerability affects systems that rely on UIM card communications for authentication, secure data transmission, and access control mechanisms, potentially compromising vehicle security systems, mobile payment processing, and industrial control networks. Attackers could exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information, disrupt critical communications, or execute malicious code within the affected systems. The attack surface is broad given the widespread deployment of Snapdragon chips in mobile devices, automotive systems, and IoT products, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for organizations maintaining large fleets of connected vehicles or deploying IoT infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-25682 should focus on firmware updates from device manufacturers, as the vulnerability requires core system modifications to implement proper bounds checking and pointer validation. Organizations should prioritize patch management for affected devices and implement network monitoring to detect anomalous card command sequences that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter usage, as exploitation could involve crafting malicious card responses to trigger the memory corruption. Additionally, implementing runtime protections such as memory safety checks, stack canaries, and address space layout randomization can help reduce the exploitability of this vulnerability. Device manufacturers should also consider implementing secure boot processes and cryptographic validation of card communications to prevent unauthorized modifications to the UIM subsystem.