CVE-2025-62817 in Mobile Processor Exynos
Summary
by MITRE • 03/03/2026
An issue was discovered in Samsung Mobile Processor Exynos 1280, 2200, 1380, 1480, 2400, 1580, and 2500. A NULL pointer dereference of session->ncp_hdr_buf in __pilot_parsing_ncp() causes a denial of service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/06/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-62817 represents a critical null pointer dereference flaw affecting multiple Samsung Exynos mobile processor generations including the 1280, 2200, 1380, 1480, 2400, 1580, and 2500 models. This issue manifests within the network control protocol parsing functionality of the processor's firmware, specifically in the __pilot_parsing_ncp() function where session->ncp_hdr_buf is accessed without proper validation. The flaw stems from inadequate input sanitization and memory management practices within the network communication stack of these mobile processors. The affected hardware components operate at the core of mobile device security and connectivity, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for widespread device populations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a classic null pointer dereference condition where the system attempts to access memory through a pointer that has not been properly initialized or validated. When the __pilot_parsing_ncp() function processes incoming network control protocol data, it assumes that session->ncp_hdr_buf contains valid memory references. However, under certain conditions or malicious input scenarios, this pointer can remain uninitialized or set to NULL, causing the processor to attempt memory access at address zero or an invalid memory location. This results in an immediate system crash or denial of service condition that terminates the network processing functionality. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-476 which specifically addresses null pointer dereference issues in software systems and represents a fundamental memory safety flaw that violates secure coding practices.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-62817 extends beyond simple service interruption to potentially compromise device availability and network connectivity for affected Samsung mobile devices. When triggered, the denial of service condition affects the processor's ability to handle network control protocol messages, which could disrupt cellular connectivity, Wi-Fi operations, and other network-dependent services. This vulnerability particularly impacts devices that rely heavily on continuous network communication and could be exploited by attackers to create persistent availability issues. The flaw affects multiple processor generations, indicating a systemic issue within the firmware architecture rather than isolated component failure. The vulnerability's exploitation potential is heightened by the fact that network control protocol parsing occurs frequently during normal device operation, making it susceptible to both accidental triggering and deliberate attack scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on firmware updates from Samsung to address the null pointer dereference in the __pilot_parsing_ncp() function. System administrators and device manufacturers should implement immediate firmware patching procedures to prevent exploitation. Additionally, network monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in network control protocol handling that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and proper memory management in embedded systems, particularly those handling network communications. Security teams should consider implementing runtime protections such as null pointer checks and memory sanitization routines to prevent similar issues. Organizations should also develop incident response procedures specifically addressing denial of service conditions in mobile processor firmware, as these vulnerabilities can significantly impact device usability and user productivity. The flaw serves as a reminder of the critical need for robust secure coding practices and comprehensive testing of firmware components that handle network communications.