CVE-2025-59617 in Snapdragon CCW
Summary
by MITRE • 07/06/2026
Memory Corruption when processing multiple IOCTL calls with the same buffer file descriptor input.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/06/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption issue that occurs during the handling of multiple input/output control operations within kernel space. The flaw manifests when the system processes successive ioctl calls that utilize identical buffer file descriptor inputs, creating a scenario where memory management becomes inconsistent and potentially exploitable. The core technical problem stems from improper validation and handling of shared buffer references across multiple ioctl operations, leading to potential overwrite conditions, heap corruption, or arbitrary code execution privileges.
The vulnerability operates at the kernel level where device drivers typically implement ioctl functionality for specialized hardware interaction or system control operations. When multiple ioctl calls are processed with the same buffer file descriptor, the kernel's memory management subsystem fails to properly track or validate the buffer state between operations. This creates a race condition or state inconsistency that allows attackers to manipulate memory layout or corrupt data structures within kernel space. The vulnerability aligns with common weakness enumerations such as CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-787, covering out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities.
Operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system instability to potential privilege escalation and complete system compromise. An attacker who can successfully exploit this memory corruption issue gains the ability to execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges, effectively bypassing all user-mode security controls. The exploitation requires careful crafting of ioctl parameters and buffer contents to trigger the specific memory corruption pattern, often involving multiple sequential operations that manipulate the same file descriptor reference. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous in environments where privileged operations are common or where attackers have legitimate access to system interfaces through normal user accounts.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing robust input validation and memory management practices within kernel drivers. System administrators should ensure all kernel modules and device drivers receive regular updates from vendors, particularly addressing known memory corruption vulnerabilities. The implementation of kernel hardening techniques including stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and kernel address space protection mechanisms provides additional defense layers. From an operational security perspective, monitoring for unusual ioctl call patterns or repeated buffer usage within system logs can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege controls to limit the scope of potential damage from any successful exploit.
The vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly routine operations like multiple ioctl calls with identical inputs can create complex memory management issues in kernel space. This class of vulnerability typically requires deep understanding of both kernel architecture and specific driver implementation details, making it challenging to detect through standard security scanning tools. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this under privilege escalation techniques where adversaries leverage system-level vulnerabilities to gain elevated access rights. Defense-in-depth strategies should include regular kernel vulnerability assessments, secure coding practices for driver development, and maintaining up-to-date threat intelligence on similar memory corruption patterns affecting device drivers and kernel modules across different operating systems and hardware platforms.