CVE-2022-25685 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE • 12/13/2022
Denial of service in Modem module due to improper authorization while error handling in Snapdragon Auto, Snapdragon Compute, Snapdragon Consumer IOT, Snapdragon Industrial IOT, Snapdragon Mobile, Snapdragon Wearables
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/07/2026
CVE-2022-25685 represents a critical denial of service vulnerability affecting multiple Snapdragon product lines including automotive, mobile, and industrial IoT modules. This weakness stems from improper authorization controls during error handling processes within the modem subsystem, creating a pathway for malicious actors to disrupt system operations. The vulnerability specifically impacts the modem module's ability to handle error conditions properly, potentially allowing unauthorized entities to trigger system crashes or complete service interruptions. The flaw exists in the Snapdragon Auto, Snapdragon Compute, Snapdragon Consumer IOT, Snapdragon Industrial IOT, Snapdragon Mobile, and Snapdragon Wearables product families, indicating a widespread impact across Qualcomm's embedded systems portfolio. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-285 which addresses improper authorization issues in system components. The attack surface is particularly concerning given the diverse applications of these chipsets in vehicles, mobile devices, and industrial equipment where continuous operation is critical. The improper authorization during error handling suggests that the modem module lacks proper access controls when processing fault conditions, potentially allowing malicious input or crafted error states to bypass normal operational boundaries. This could enable attackers to exploit the vulnerability through various attack vectors including malformed network packets, corrupted data streams, or specially crafted error conditions that trigger the flawed authorization logic. The operational impact extends beyond simple service disruption as it could affect safety-critical systems in automotive applications, potentially leading to complete loss of communication capabilities in connected vehicles. In mobile and wearable devices, this vulnerability could result in complete device unresponsiveness or forced reboots, while industrial IoT applications might face production line disruptions. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation and denial of service tactics, where adversaries can leverage the improper authorization to gain control over system resources and disrupt normal operations. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the modem module's error handling architecture, where the system fails to properly validate authorization credentials or access levels during error processing phases. This represents a design-level weakness that requires systematic review of all error handling pathways within the modem component. Security researchers have identified that the vulnerability can be exploited through network-based attacks that manipulate error conditions in the modem module, potentially causing cascading failures throughout the device's communication stack. The exploitation requires minimal privileges and can be executed remotely, making it particularly dangerous for connected devices that operate in unsecured environments. Mitigation strategies should include firmware updates from device manufacturers, implementation of proper access controls during error handling, and network segmentation to limit potential attack surfaces. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for abnormal error handling patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of robust authorization mechanisms even during error conditions, as these states often represent the most vulnerable points in system security architecture. Device manufacturers must ensure that error handling routines maintain proper authorization checks to prevent unauthorized access or manipulation during fault conditions. This particular vulnerability underscores the need for comprehensive security testing of embedded systems, particularly in automotive and industrial applications where failure can have severe consequences. The widespread impact across multiple Snapdragon product lines emphasizes the critical nature of addressing such vulnerabilities in foundational components of modern electronic systems.