CVE-2025-27037 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE • 09/24/2025
Memory corruption while processing config_dev IOCTL when camera kernel driver drops its reference to CPU buffers.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/24/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption issue within kernel space camera drivers that manifests during configuration device ioctls when the driver releases references to cpu buffers. The flaw occurs in the kernel-level processing of device configuration operations where improper handling of buffer reference counting leads to memory corruption conditions. The vulnerability specifically impacts the interaction between kernel driver components and user-space applications through ioctl system calls that configure camera hardware. When the camera driver drops its reference to cpu buffers during configuration operations, the memory management subsystem fails to properly validate or handle the reference decrement, resulting in potential buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or arbitrary code execution. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of kernel memory corruption as defined by cwe-125 and cwe-476, where improper memory handling in kernel space can lead to system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the kernel driver's configuration device ioctl handler which processes incoming ioctls for camera hardware configuration. During normal operation, the driver maintains reference counts for cpu buffers allocated for image processing. When the driver determines that certain buffers are no longer needed, it attempts to drop references through standard kernel memory management functions. However, the reference counting logic contains a flaw that allows for double-free conditions or invalid memory access patterns when the driver releases these references. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at kernel level where any memory corruption can lead to complete system compromise. The attack surface is limited to systems running affected camera drivers and applications that issue configuration ioctls to camera devices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption to potentially enable privilege escalation and system compromise. An attacker with access to camera configuration ioctls could exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges, effectively gaining full control over the affected system. The vulnerability is especially concerning in embedded systems, mobile devices, and servers where camera hardware is present and kernel-level access is critical for system integrity. The attack requires minimal privileges since it operates through legitimate ioctl interfaces, making it particularly dangerous in environments where camera drivers are accessible to unprivileged users. This vulnerability aligns with attack techniques described in the attack pattern taxonomy under code injection and privilege escalation methods.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected kernel drivers and implementation of proper reference counting validation. System administrators should ensure all camera drivers are updated to versions that address the memory management flaw in their reference handling code. Kernel memory management should be hardened through additional validation checks that verify reference counts before allowing buffer deallocation. The mitigation approach should include implementing proper bounds checking and memory validation routines within the ioctl handler code. Additionally, system monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual reference counting patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security measures should also include restricting access to camera configuration ioctls through proper access controls and user privilege management. The solution must be implemented at the kernel driver level where the vulnerability exists, following secure coding practices that prevent improper reference handling and memory deallocation sequences.