CVE-2025-47402 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE • 02/02/2026
Transient DOS when processing a received frame with an excessively large authentication information element.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/09/2026
This vulnerability represents a transient denial of service condition that occurs during network frame processing when an excessively large authentication information element is received. The flaw manifests in the handling of wireless network frames where authentication information elements are parsed and processed by network devices such as access points or wireless controllers. When a malformed frame containing an authentication information element that exceeds expected size parameters is transmitted, the receiving device may experience a temporary disruption in service or complete system hang until the frame processing is completed or the device is manually reset. This represents a classic buffer overread or parsing error condition where the device fails to properly validate the size of incoming authentication elements before attempting to process them. The vulnerability specifically targets wireless network infrastructure components that implement 802.11 authentication protocols and may affect various wireless standards including but not limited to 802.11i and 802.11ac. The transient nature of the denial of service indicates that the system typically recovers automatically after the frame processing completes, though this recovery period can be significant and may be exploited for sustained disruption. This vulnerability falls under CWE-129 Input Validation and OWASP Top Ten category A03: Injection, as it involves improper validation of input data from network frames. The attack vector requires an attacker to be within range of the wireless network or capable of injecting malicious frames into the network traffic, making it applicable to both local and remote exploitation scenarios. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption as it can affect network availability for legitimate users and potentially provide a foothold for more sophisticated attacks. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1498.001 Network Denial of Service and T1595.001 Network Scanning, as it can be used to disrupt network availability and potentially as part of reconnaissance activities. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in network protocol implementations and highlights the need for robust error handling mechanisms in wireless infrastructure devices. Network administrators should implement proper monitoring and alerting for unusual frame processing patterns and consider deploying intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts. The transient nature of the vulnerability means that traditional network monitoring may not immediately detect the service disruption, making it particularly challenging to identify and respond to such attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of authentication information element sizes within wireless frame processing routines. When a wireless device receives a frame containing an authentication information element that exceeds predetermined size limits, the parsing logic fails to properly handle the oversized element, leading to a temporary system state where normal frame processing is suspended or becomes unresponsive. This occurs because the device attempts to allocate memory or process data structures based on the reported size of the authentication element without proper bounds checking. The flaw can be exploited through frame injection techniques where an attacker crafts a malicious wireless frame with an oversized authentication information element designed to trigger the vulnerable parsing code path. The vulnerability affects wireless access points, wireless controllers, and other network infrastructure components that implement 802.11 authentication mechanisms. The processing delay or system hang caused by this vulnerability can range from seconds to minutes depending on the device implementation and the size of the oversized element. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where wireless networks serve critical business operations and where service availability is paramount. The exploitation requires minimal privileges and can be performed by anyone within the wireless network coverage area, making it a significant threat to wireless infrastructure security. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the impact of such vulnerabilities and ensure that wireless infrastructure devices are properly patched and updated.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation and bounds checking within wireless frame processing code. Network administrators should ensure that all wireless infrastructure devices are updated with the latest security patches from vendors and that proper firmware versions are deployed across the network. The implementation of rate limiting and frame filtering mechanisms can help reduce the impact of malicious frame injection attempts. Network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect unusual frame processing patterns and alert administrators to potential exploitation attempts. Device configuration should include proper logging of authentication frame processing activities to enable forensic analysis in case of exploitation. Organizations should consider implementing wireless intrusion prevention systems that can detect and block malformed frames containing oversized authentication information elements. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of network resilience planning and incident response procedures for wireless network disruptions. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in wireless infrastructure components. Network segmentation strategies should be employed to isolate wireless networks and limit the scope of potential exploitation. The implementation of redundant wireless infrastructure components can provide failover capabilities during exploitation attempts. Compliance with industry standards such as IEEE 802.11 security specifications and NIST guidelines for wireless network security should be maintained to reduce the risk of similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure coding practices in network infrastructure implementations and the need for continuous security monitoring and threat assessment activities.