CVE-2025-52519 Overview
CVE-2025-52519 affects the Camera subsystem in multiple Samsung Exynos Mobile and Wearable Processors. The issimian device driver fails to properly validate user-space input, allowing a local attacker with low privileges to trigger information disclosure and denial of service on affected devices. The flaw is classified as an input validation weakness [CWE-20] and impacts firmware across the Exynos 1330, 1380, 1480, 1580, 2400, and 2500 platforms.
Critical Impact
A local attacker holding low-privileged access can read sensitive kernel or camera-subsystem memory and crash the device by supplying crafted input to the issimian driver.
Affected Products
- Samsung Exynos 1330 and 1380 mobile processors and firmware
- Samsung Exynos 1480, 1580, and 2400 mobile processors and firmware
- Samsung Exynos 2500 wearable and mobile processor firmware
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-01-05 - CVE-2025-52519 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-52519
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in the issimian device driver, a kernel-space component of the Samsung Exynos Camera subsystem. The driver exposes an interface reachable from user space, typically through an ioctl or device node under /dev. When a user-space process submits a request, the driver does not adequately validate the supplied parameters before acting on them.
Because the driver runs in kernel context, insufficient validation of size fields, buffer pointers, or index values allows a local process to influence kernel memory operations. This results in two observable outcomes: leakage of memory contents back to user space and unrecoverable driver or kernel state that forces a device restart.
The issue is local in nature and requires an attacker to already execute code on the device, for example through a low-privileged Android application. No user interaction is required once the malicious process runs.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper validation of user-space input in the issimian driver [CWE-20]. Fields provided from user space are consumed by the driver without complete bounds, type, or state checks, permitting the driver to read from or operate on memory it should not access.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires local access with low privileges, such as an installed application running on the device. The attacker opens the issimian device interface and issues crafted requests containing malformed parameters. Successful exploitation yields sensitive information from kernel or camera-subsystem memory and can render the camera stack or the device unavailable.
No public proof-of-concept or exploit code is available for CVE-2025-52519. Technical details are described in prose only; refer to the Samsung CVE-2025-52519 advisory for vendor-specific information.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-52519
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected access to the issimian device node by non-system applications or unsigned processes.
- Kernel logs showing repeated faults, oops entries, or camera-subsystem crashes originating from the issimian driver.
- Devices exhibiting recurring reboots or camera service restarts without a corresponding user action.
Detection Strategies
- Monitor mobile device management (MDM) telemetry for Exynos-based handsets running firmware predating the Samsung fix.
- Inspect application behavior for processes opening camera-related character devices outside expected camera APIs.
- Correlate crash dumps and bugreports referencing issimian with process execution history to identify malicious callers.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Ingest Android system logs and vendor kernel logs into a centralized log platform for anomaly analysis.
- Track firmware and security patch level (SPL) across the fleet and flag devices missing the vendor update addressing CVE-2025-52519.
- Alert on installation of applications requesting low-level device or camera permissions inconsistent with their stated function.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-52519
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the Samsung Exynos firmware update that addresses CVE-2025-52519 as soon as it is available for the affected device model.
- Restrict installation of untrusted applications on affected Exynos devices and enforce Play Protect or equivalent app vetting.
- Inventory the fleet to identify handsets and wearables running Exynos 1330, 1380, 1480, 1580, 2400, or 2500 firmware.
Patch Information
Samsung addresses this issue through its Semiconductor Product Security Updates process. Consult the Samsung Product Security Updates portal and the Samsung CVE-2025-52519 advisory for the specific firmware or security patch level that remediates the flaw. Device manufacturers integrating Exynos processors must ship the update as part of their monthly Android security patch.
Workarounds
- Avoid installing applications from unknown sources on affected Exynos devices until the vendor patch is applied.
- Enforce enterprise policy blocking sideloaded applications and requiring current security patch levels on managed devices.
- Limit use of the device camera in high-sensitivity environments until firmware remediation is confirmed.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
