CVE-2025-27044 in Snapdragon Compute
Summary
by MITRE • 07/08/2025
Memory corruption while executing timestamp video decode command with large input values.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/22/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption issue that occurs during video decoding operations when processing timestamp commands with excessively large input values. The flaw manifests in multimedia processing systems where timestamp values exceed expected parameter boundaries, leading to unpredictable memory behavior that can result in system instability or potential exploitation. The vulnerability specifically targets the video decode command execution path where timestamp values are processed, indicating a lack of proper input validation and boundary checking mechanisms within the decoding pipeline. This type of memory corruption vulnerability falls under the category of buffer overflow conditions that can be triggered through malformed input parameters, making it particularly concerning for multimedia applications that process untrusted video content from various sources. The issue demonstrates a fundamental weakness in the input sanitization process where the system fails to properly validate the magnitude of timestamp values before attempting to execute decode operations. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which deals with stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which addresses heap-based buffer overflow scenarios that can occur when processing large input values. The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system crashes, as memory corruption can lead to arbitrary code execution or privilege escalation depending on the system architecture and execution context. Attackers could potentially exploit this weakness by crafting specially formatted video files with excessively large timestamp values that trigger the memory corruption during decode operations, making this particularly dangerous in environments where users process untrusted multimedia content. The vulnerability's presence in timestamp video decode commands suggests it may affect various multimedia frameworks and codecs that rely on timestamp-based processing for synchronization and playback control. From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1203 for exploitation for execution, as it provides a potential entry point for attackers to gain unauthorized system access through memory corruption exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability reveals that the decoding system fails to implement proper bounds checking when handling timestamp values during command execution. When large input values are encountered, the system's memory allocation and processing routines become unstable, leading to corruption of adjacent memory regions. This memory corruption can manifest as stack smashing, heap corruption, or data overwrite conditions that compromise the integrity of the decoding process. The flaw likely exists in the parameter parsing or validation logic where timestamp values are accepted without proper range checking, allowing maliciously large values to propagate through the system. The vulnerability's exploitation potential increases significantly when considering that timestamp values are commonly used in video synchronization and playback control, making them a frequent target for manipulation. System administrators and security professionals should recognize this as a critical vulnerability that requires immediate attention, particularly in environments where multimedia processing is prevalent. The memory corruption aspect of this vulnerability makes it particularly challenging to detect through standard security scanning tools, as the effects may not manifest until specific conditions are met during video decode operations. Proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms must be implemented to prevent large timestamp values from being processed without adequate boundary checks. The vulnerability's impact is amplified when considering that video decoding systems often run with elevated privileges or access to sensitive system resources, potentially enabling more severe exploitation outcomes. Security measures should include comprehensive input validation, memory protection mechanisms, and regular system updates to address this memory corruption vulnerability in timestamp processing.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation and boundary checking mechanisms within the video decode command execution pipeline. System administrators should deploy immediate patches or workarounds that enforce strict limits on timestamp value ranges to prevent the memory corruption conditions from occurring. The implementation of address space layout randomization and stack canaries can provide additional protection against exploitation attempts, while memory protection features such as data execution prevention should be enabled to limit the potential impact of any successful exploitation. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to untrusted video content sources that could potentially contain malicious timestamp values. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in multimedia processing systems and ensure that input validation mechanisms are functioning correctly. The vulnerability's nature suggests that it may affect multiple video processing frameworks and codecs, making comprehensive system auditing essential for complete remediation. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual timestamp value patterns and decode command execution anomalies that could indicate exploitation attempts. System hardening measures including disabling unnecessary video processing features and implementing strict user access controls can further reduce the attack surface. The implementation of automated patch management systems will ensure that all affected systems receive timely updates to address this memory corruption vulnerability in timestamp processing. Continuous security awareness training for system administrators will help identify and respond to potential exploitation attempts involving multimedia processing vulnerabilities.