CVE-2025-47375: Qualcomm Qcm4325 Use-After-Free Vulnerability

CVE-2025-47375 Overview

CVE-2025-47375 is a Use-After-Free (UAF) memory corruption vulnerability affecting Qualcomm firmware across a wide range of chipsets and platforms. The vulnerability occurs when the system handles different IOCTL (Input/Output Control) calls from user-space simultaneously, leading to a race condition that can result in memory corruption. This flaw enables a local attacker with low privileges to potentially achieve code execution, data exfiltration, or denial of service on affected devices.

Critical Impact

Local attackers can exploit concurrent IOCTL handling to corrupt memory, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution, privilege escalation, or system compromise across hundreds of Qualcomm-powered mobile, automotive, IoT, and computing platforms.

Affected Products

• Qualcomm Snapdragon Mobile Platforms (460, 480, 660, 662, 680, 685, 690, 695, 778G, 782G, 865, 870, 888, 8 Gen 2, 8 Gen 3 series)
• Qualcomm Automotive Platforms (SA4150P, SA6155P, SA8155P, SA8295P, SA9000P, LemansAU series)
• Qualcomm FastConnect Wi-Fi/Bluetooth modules (6200, 6700, 6800, 6900, 7800)
• Qualcomm Robotics Platforms (RB2, RB5, Flight RB5 5G)
• Qualcomm Video Collaboration Platforms (VC1, VC3, VC5)
• Qualcomm Modem-RF Systems (X12, X32, X35, X53, X55, X72, X75)
• Qualcomm Audio Codecs (WCD9326, WCD9335, WCD9370, WCD9380, WCD9390 series)
• Qualcomm Wireless Connectivity modules (WCN3615, WCN3660B, WCN3910, WCN3950, WCN6450, WCN6650, WCN6755)
• Qualcomm QCM/QCS IoT Platforms (QCM2290, QCM4325, QCM5430, QCM6125, QCM6490, QCS2290, QCS4290)

Discovery Timeline

• March 2, 2026 - CVE-2025-47375 published to NVD
• March 4, 2026 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-47375

Vulnerability Analysis

This Use-After-Free vulnerability (CWE-416) arises from improper synchronization when handling multiple IOCTL requests from user-space concurrently. When a malicious or compromised application issues overlapping IOCTL calls targeting the same kernel resources, a race condition can occur where memory is freed by one operation while still being referenced by another. The freed memory region may then be reallocated for different purposes, causing the dangling pointer to access or modify unintended data structures.

The attack requires local access to the device, making it particularly relevant for scenarios involving malicious applications or compromised user accounts. Since the vulnerability resides in firmware handling IOCTL operations, it affects a core system component that interfaces directly with hardware, amplifying the potential impact of successful exploitation.

Root Cause

The root cause is a lack of proper locking or synchronization mechanisms around shared resources when processing concurrent IOCTL requests from user-space. When multiple threads or processes invoke IOCTL operations that interact with the same memory objects, the absence of atomic operations or mutex protection allows one operation to free memory while another operation retains a stale reference. This classic Use-After-Free pattern occurs because:

1. Thread A initiates an IOCTL call that allocates and operates on a memory object
2. Thread B issues a different IOCTL call that triggers deallocation of that same object
3. Thread A continues execution using the now-freed memory pointer
4. The dangling pointer access corrupts memory or leaks sensitive information

Attack Vector

The attack vector is local, requiring an attacker to execute code on the affected device. A threat actor would craft a malicious application or exploit an existing application to generate precisely timed, concurrent IOCTL requests designed to trigger the race condition. The exploitation flow typically involves:

1. The attacker identifies the vulnerable IOCTL handlers and the shared resources they access
2. A multi-threaded exploit application is deployed that rapidly issues competing IOCTL calls
3. Through repeated attempts, the race condition is won, causing a Use-After-Free
4. The attacker controls the contents of the reallocated memory to redirect execution or corrupt data structures
5. Successful exploitation can lead to privilege escalation, arbitrary code execution in kernel context, or sensitive data disclosure

Due to the nature of concurrent race conditions, exploitation may require multiple attempts and careful timing calibration specific to the target device and firmware version.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-47375

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected system crashes or kernel panics on affected Qualcomm-based devices, particularly related to IOCTL or driver operations
• Suspicious applications making high-frequency IOCTL calls to device drivers
• Memory access violations or corruption errors in system logs originating from Qualcomm firmware components
• Anomalous privilege escalation events following IOCTL-related activity

Detection Strategies

• Implement kernel-level monitoring for abnormal IOCTL call patterns, especially rapid concurrent requests to the same driver
• Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring driver interactions and memory access anomalies
• Enable audit logging for device driver operations and analyze for suspicious timing patterns indicative of race condition exploitation
• Monitor for applications requesting unusual combinations of device permissions that would enable IOCTL access

Monitoring Recommendations

• Configure SentinelOne agents to detect behavioral patterns associated with Use-After-Free exploitation attempts
• Enable verbose kernel logging on development and high-value devices to capture IOCTL operation sequences
• Implement application allowlisting to prevent unauthorized applications from making direct driver calls
• Regularly review firmware versions deployed across device fleets to ensure patch compliance

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-47375

Immediate Actions Required

• Apply the latest firmware updates from Qualcomm and device OEMs as documented in the Qualcomm March 2026 Security Bulletin
• Restrict installation of applications from untrusted sources on affected devices
• Audit deployed applications for suspicious behaviors, particularly those making frequent driver or IOCTL calls
• Isolate high-risk or unpatched devices from sensitive network segments until firmware updates can be applied

Patch Information

Qualcomm has addressed this vulnerability in their March 2026 Security Bulletin. Organizations should coordinate with their device OEMs (smartphone manufacturers, automotive suppliers, IoT vendors) to obtain updated firmware images incorporating the fix. The patch implements proper synchronization mechanisms around IOCTL handling to prevent the race condition that leads to the Use-After-Free condition.

For detailed patch information and affected component lists, refer to the Qualcomm March 2026 Security Bulletin.

Workarounds

• Limit device access to trusted users only, as exploitation requires local code execution
• Implement strict application sandboxing and permission controls to reduce the attack surface for malicious IOCTL calls
• On Android devices, ensure Google Play Protect is enabled to detect potentially harmful applications
• For embedded and IoT deployments, disable unnecessary user-space interfaces to firmware components where feasible

# Verify firmware version on Android devices (example)
adb shell getprop ro.build.fingerprint
adb shell getprop ro.vendor.build.security_patch

# Check for Qualcomm-specific firmware version
adb shell cat /vendor/firmware_mnt/verinfo/ver_info.txt