CVE-2025-21434 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE • 04/07/2025
Transient DOS may occur while parsing EHT operation IE or EHT capability IE.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-21434 represents a transient denial of service condition affecting wireless network devices that process EHT operation information elements or EHT capability information elements. This issue specifically targets devices implementing the EHT (Enhanced High Throughput) standard within wireless local area networks, particularly those operating under the 6GHz frequency band. The vulnerability manifests during the parsing of specific information elements that define the operational parameters and capabilities of EHT-enabled wireless networks, creating a scenario where legitimate network operations can be temporarily disrupted through carefully crafted malformed information elements.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient input validation and error handling within the parsing routines responsible for processing EHT operation information elements and EHT capability information elements. When these elements contain unexpected or malformed data structures, the wireless network device's parsing logic fails to properly handle the exceptional conditions, leading to a temporary system freeze or service disruption. This transient nature indicates that while the device may recover automatically after the malformed element is processed, the interruption in network service can persist long enough to impact network connectivity and user experience. The vulnerability operates at the wireless protocol layer where devices must parse and interpret information elements that define network parameters such as channel width, guard interval settings, and transmission capabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise network stability and availability in environments where wireless connectivity is critical. Network administrators may observe intermittent connectivity issues, reduced throughput, or complete service outages during the brief periods when the malformed information elements are processed. This is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where wireless networks support mission-critical applications, or in scenarios where multiple devices are simultaneously affected by the same malformed information element. The transient nature of the vulnerability means that traditional monitoring systems may not immediately detect the issue, as the disruption occurs during specific parsing operations rather than maintaining a persistent state.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-21434 should focus on implementing robust input validation and error handling mechanisms within wireless network devices. Network administrators should prioritize firmware updates from device vendors that address the specific parsing vulnerabilities in EHT information element handling. Additionally, implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect unusual parsing patterns or service disruptions may help identify affected devices before complete service outages occur. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129 Input Validation and CWE-399 Resource Management Errors, indicating that proper bounds checking and resource management practices are essential. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability could be leveraged as part of a broader network disruption campaign targeting wireless infrastructure, potentially falling under techniques related to service stoppage and denial of service operations. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation strategies to limit the scope of potential impact and establish incident response procedures specifically addressing wireless network service disruptions.