CVE-2026-25288 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE • 08/04/2026
Transient DOS when processing a short target wake time channel usage response frame with insufficient packet size.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/04/2026
This vulnerability represents a transient denial of service condition that occurs during wireless network communication processing within IEEE 802.11 systems. The flaw manifests when a device receives a target wake time channel usage response frame that contains insufficient packet size information, causing the system to enter a temporary state where normal operations are disrupted. This type of vulnerability typically affects wireless access points and client devices that implement power management features in accordance with 802.11 standards, particularly those utilizing target wake time mechanisms for efficient power conservation.
The technical root cause stems from inadequate input validation and error handling within the wireless frame processing pipeline. When a short target wake time channel usage response frame is received, the system fails to properly validate the packet structure before attempting to process the channel usage information. This insufficient validation allows malformed or truncated frames to trigger unexpected behavior in the wireless driver or firmware components responsible for managing power states and channel access scheduling. The vulnerability operates at the data link layer of the OSI model, specifically within the 802.11 management frame processing functions where target wake time parameters are interpreted and acted upon.
The operational impact of this transient denial of service condition can be significant within wireless network environments, particularly in enterprise or mission-critical deployments where uninterrupted connectivity is essential. Affected devices may experience temporary loss of network connectivity, reduced throughput, or complete communication disruption during the period when the vulnerability is exploited. Network performance degradation can occur as the system attempts to recover from the malformed frame processing error, potentially affecting multiple connected devices if the vulnerability exists in a central access point. The transient nature of the issue means that services may resume automatically once the erroneous frame processing completes, but this recovery period creates service interruptions that can be disruptive to time-sensitive applications.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing robust input validation mechanisms within wireless firmware and driver components. Network administrators should ensure that wireless access points and client devices are updated with the latest firmware releases that address this specific vulnerability. The implementation of proper frame size validation and error handling routines can prevent malformed target wake time frames from causing system disruptions. Additionally, network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect unusual patterns in management frame processing that could indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, Input Validation, and CWE-248, Uncaught Exception, while potentially mapping to ATT&CK technique T1566.002 for initial access through phishing with malicious wireless frames or T1499.004 for network disruption via wireless protocol manipulation. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring to detect anomalous wireless traffic patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability class.