CVE-2025-53966 Overview
A buffer overflow vulnerability has been discovered in Samsung Mobile Processor Exynos chipsets affecting models 1380, 1480, 2400, and 1580. The vulnerability stems from incorrect handling of the NL80211 vendor command, which leads to a buffer overflow during the processing of an IOCTL message. This flaw could allow a local attacker to potentially execute arbitrary code, compromise system integrity, or cause denial of service conditions on affected devices.
Critical Impact
Local attackers can exploit this buffer overflow vulnerability to achieve high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected Samsung Exynos-based mobile devices.
Affected Products
- Samsung Mobile Processor Exynos 1380
- Samsung Mobile Processor Exynos 1480
- Samsung Mobile Processor Exynos 2400
- Samsung Mobile Processor Exynos 1580
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-01-05 - CVE-2025-53966 published to NVD
- 2026-01-08 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-53966
Vulnerability Analysis
This vulnerability is classified under CWE-120 (Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input), a classic buffer overflow weakness. The flaw resides in the wireless driver component of Samsung Exynos mobile processors, specifically in the handling of NL80211 vendor commands. NL80211 is the standard Linux kernel interface for 802.11 (WiFi) configuration and management.
When processing IOCTL messages through the NL80211 vendor command interface, the driver fails to properly validate input boundaries before copying data into fixed-size buffers. This improper bounds checking allows an attacker to supply crafted input that exceeds the expected buffer size, resulting in adjacent memory being overwritten.
The local attack vector requires the attacker to have existing access to the device, though no specific privileges are required to trigger the vulnerability. The potential impact spans across all three security dimensions—confidentiality, integrity, and availability—indicating that successful exploitation could result in information disclosure, system corruption, or service disruption.
Root Cause
The root cause of CVE-2025-53966 is insufficient input validation in the NL80211 vendor command handler within the Exynos wireless driver. When an IOCTL message is received, the driver copies data into a buffer without first verifying that the input size does not exceed the allocated buffer capacity. This classic "buffer copy without checking size of input" vulnerability (CWE-120) allows memory beyond the intended buffer boundaries to be overwritten with attacker-controlled data.
Attack Vector
The attack requires local access to an affected device running a vulnerable Samsung Exynos processor. An attacker can craft malicious IOCTL messages targeting the NL80211 vendor command interface. By supplying input data larger than the expected buffer size, the attacker can trigger the buffer overflow condition.
The exploitation path involves:
- Gaining local access to a device with a vulnerable Exynos processor
- Crafting a malicious IOCTL message with oversized payload targeting the NL80211 vendor command
- Triggering the vulnerable code path in the wireless driver
- Overflowing the buffer to corrupt adjacent memory regions
- Potentially achieving code execution or causing system instability
The vulnerability does not require user interaction or elevated privileges, making it exploitable by any process with access to the IOCTL interface.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-53966
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected crashes or instability in wireless-related kernel modules or drivers
- Anomalous IOCTL system calls targeting wireless interfaces with unusually large payloads
- Kernel panic events associated with memory corruption in Exynos wireless driver components
- Suspicious processes attempting to interact with NL80211 vendor command interfaces
Detection Strategies
- Monitor system logs for kernel oops or panic messages originating from wireless driver modules on Exynos-based devices
- Implement endpoint detection rules to flag unusual IOCTL activity patterns involving wireless interfaces
- Deploy behavioral analysis to detect processes attempting to send malformed or oversized vendor commands
- Utilize SentinelOne's kernel-level monitoring capabilities to detect exploitation attempts targeting driver vulnerabilities
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable verbose logging for kernel wireless subsystem events on affected Exynos devices
- Configure alerting for repeated wireless driver crashes or restarts which may indicate exploitation attempts
- Monitor for privilege escalation attempts following wireless interface interaction
- Implement application allowlisting to restrict which processes can send vendor-specific IOCTL commands
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-53966
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply firmware updates from Samsung as soon as they become available for affected Exynos processors
- Review and restrict local access to devices running vulnerable Exynos chipsets
- Monitor affected devices for signs of exploitation or unusual wireless subsystem behavior
- Consider disabling vendor-specific wireless features temporarily if operationally feasible
Patch Information
Samsung has acknowledged this vulnerability and published security advisory information. Organizations should monitor the Samsung Product Security Updates page and the specific Samsung CVE-2025-53966 Advisory for patch availability and detailed remediation guidance.
Device manufacturers using affected Exynos processors should coordinate with Samsung to obtain updated firmware and push updates to end-user devices through their standard update mechanisms.
Workarounds
- Limit physical and logical access to devices with affected Exynos processors to trusted users only
- Disable or restrict access to custom vendor wireless commands if device functionality permits
- Implement additional endpoint protection measures to detect and block potential exploitation attempts
- Segment network access for affected mobile devices to limit lateral movement if compromise occurs
# Check device processor information (Android)
# Users can verify if their device uses an affected Exynos processor
adb shell cat /proc/cpuinfo | grep -i exynos
# Monitor wireless driver events for anomalies
adb shell dmesg | grep -i wlan
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
