CVE-2025-47348: Use-After-Free Vulnerability in TEE

CVE-2025-47348 Overview

CVE-2025-47348 is a memory corruption vulnerability that occurs while processing identity credential operations within a trusted application. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-457 (Use of Uninitialized Variable), indicating that the flaw stems from improper handling of memory during credential processing operations in the secure execution environment.

Critical Impact

Local attackers with low privileges can exploit this vulnerability to achieve high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected systems through memory corruption in trusted application credential operations.

Affected Products

• Qualcomm chipset products (see vendor security bulletin for complete list)
• Devices utilizing Qualcomm trusted execution environments
• Systems processing identity credentials through affected trusted applications

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-01-07 - CVE CVE-2025-47348 published to NVD
• 2026-01-08 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-47348

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability represents a memory corruption condition that manifests during identity credential operations within a trusted application environment. The root cause is tied to CWE-457 (Use of Uninitialized Variable), which occurs when the application references memory locations that have not been properly initialized before use.

Trusted applications typically run in isolated secure execution environments (such as TrustZone) that handle sensitive cryptographic operations and credential management. When identity credential operations are processed, the application fails to properly initialize certain memory regions, leading to unpredictable behavior that can be leveraged by an attacker.

The local attack vector requires the attacker to have existing access to the target system with low-level privileges. Despite requiring local access, the vulnerability poses significant risk because successful exploitation can compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the trusted execution environment—the very component designed to protect the most sensitive operations on a device.

Root Cause

The vulnerability stems from the use of uninitialized variables (CWE-457) during identity credential processing. When memory is allocated but not initialized before use, it may contain residual data from previous operations. In the context of a trusted application handling sensitive credential operations, this can lead to:

• Predictable memory states that attackers can influence
• Information disclosure through reading uninitialized memory
• Control flow hijacking if uninitialized pointers or function references are used
• Corruption of credential data structures leading to authentication bypasses

Attack Vector

The attack requires local access to the affected system with low privileges. An attacker can craft malicious input to trigger the identity credential processing functionality in a way that exploits the uninitialized memory condition. Since the vulnerability affects a trusted application, successful exploitation could allow the attacker to:

1. Execute arbitrary code within the trusted execution environment
2. Access cryptographic keys and credentials stored in secure memory
3. Bypass security boundaries between the normal and secure worlds
4. Compromise the integrity of credential verification operations

The attack does not require user interaction, making it suitable for automated exploitation once local access is obtained.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-47348

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual activity or crashes in trusted application services related to identity credential processing
• Unexpected memory access patterns or faults in secure execution environment logs
• Anomalous credential verification requests or authentication failures
• Signs of privilege escalation attempts originating from trusted application interfaces

Detection Strategies

• Monitor system logs for trusted application crashes or abnormal terminations during credential operations
• Implement runtime integrity monitoring for trusted execution environment components
• Deploy endpoint detection solutions capable of identifying memory corruption exploitation patterns
• Track changes to credential stores and authentication subsystems for unauthorized modifications

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose logging for trusted application operations where available
• Implement behavioral analysis to detect unusual patterns in identity credential processing
• Monitor for signs of exploitation attempts targeting the secure execution environment
• Establish baseline metrics for trusted application performance to identify anomalies

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-47348

Immediate Actions Required

• Review the Qualcomm January 2026 Security Bulletin for specific patch information
• Identify all devices in your environment running affected Qualcomm chipsets
• Prioritize patching for devices handling sensitive identity credential operations
• Limit local access to affected systems until patches can be applied

Patch Information

Qualcomm has addressed this vulnerability in their January 2026 Security Bulletin. Organizations should consult the Qualcomm Security Bulletin for detailed patch information, including specific affected chipsets and firmware versions requiring updates.

Device manufacturers and OEMs should integrate the security patches into their firmware update channels. End users should apply all available system and security updates from their device manufacturers to receive the fix.

Workarounds

• Restrict local access to affected systems to authorized users only
• Implement additional access controls around identity credential operations
• Monitor systems for exploitation attempts while awaiting patch deployment
• Consider isolating high-value systems running affected firmware until patches are available

# Check for available security updates on Android devices
# Settings > System > Security update
# Ensure January 2026 or later security patch level is applied

# For enterprise environments, verify patch compliance
# Review device management console for security patch levels
# Flag devices with patch levels earlier than January 2026