CVE-2025-61615 Overview
CVE-2025-61615 is a high-severity improper input validation vulnerability affecting the NR (New Radio) modem component in UniSoc chipsets used across Google Android devices. The vulnerability exists due to insufficient validation of input data processed by the modem firmware, which can be exploited remotely to trigger a system crash. This could lead to a complete denial of service condition affecting mobile device connectivity and stability.
The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires no user interaction and no additional execution privileges to exploit. An attacker with network access could potentially send specially crafted data to affected devices, causing them to crash and become unresponsive.
Critical Impact
Remote attackers can crash affected Android devices running UniSoc chipsets without any user interaction or special privileges, causing complete denial of service.
Affected Products
- Google Android 13.0, 14.0, 15.0, and 16.0
- UniSoc T8100 chipset
- UniSoc T8200 chipset
- UniSoc T8300 chipset
- UniSoc T9100 chipset
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-03-09 - CVE-2025-61615 published to NVD
- 2026-03-09 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-61615
Vulnerability Analysis
This vulnerability falls under CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation), a common weakness where software fails to properly validate input data before processing. In the context of the NR modem firmware, the vulnerability allows malformed or unexpected input to bypass validation checks, leading to undefined behavior that results in a system crash.
The NR modem component handles 5G New Radio protocol communications, making it a critical component for device connectivity. When processing incoming network data, the modem firmware fails to adequately validate certain input parameters, allowing an attacker to send crafted payloads that trigger a crash condition. The network-accessible nature of this vulnerability combined with the lack of required privileges makes it an attractive target for denial of service attacks.
Root Cause
The root cause of CVE-2025-61615 is improper input validation within the NR modem firmware implementation on UniSoc chipsets. The modem component does not adequately sanitize or validate input data received over the network before processing it, allowing malformed data to cause unexpected behavior. This insufficient boundary checking and input validation leads to a condition where the system crashes when processing specially crafted input.
Attack Vector
The attack vector for this vulnerability is network-based, requiring no authentication or user interaction. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by:
- Identifying target devices running vulnerable UniSoc chipsets with the affected NR modem firmware
- Crafting malicious network packets designed to trigger the improper input validation flaw
- Sending the crafted packets to the target device over the network
- The modem firmware processes the malicious input without proper validation
- The invalid input causes the system to crash, resulting in denial of service
The vulnerability does not require any special privileges or user interaction, making it exploitable in a completely automated fashion against any reachable device.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-61615
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected device crashes or reboots, particularly during network connectivity
- Modem service crashes visible in system logs (logcat output showing modem-related exceptions)
- Repeated loss of cellular connectivity without apparent network issues
- System stability issues correlating with specific network activity patterns
Detection Strategies
- Monitor Android system logs for NR modem crash events and exceptions
- Implement network traffic analysis to detect anomalous packets targeting modem services
- Deploy mobile device management (MDM) solutions to track device stability metrics across fleet
- Configure alerting on unusual patterns of device reboots or connectivity losses
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable verbose logging on affected devices during investigation periods
- Establish baseline metrics for device stability and alert on deviations
- Monitor carrier network logs for unusual traffic patterns targeting mobile devices
- Implement endpoint detection solutions capable of correlating network events with system crashes
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-61615
Immediate Actions Required
- Review the UniSoc Support Announcement for official patch availability
- Update affected devices to the latest available firmware and Android security patches
- Prioritize patching for devices in high-risk environments or with sensitive data
- Consider network-level protections to filter potentially malicious traffic while patches are deployed
Patch Information
UniSoc has released information regarding this vulnerability through their official support channels. Organizations should consult the UniSoc Support Announcement for detailed patch information and update procedures. Device manufacturers using UniSoc chipsets should integrate the modem firmware updates into their security patch releases.
Ensure all affected Android devices are updated to the latest security patch level that addresses this vulnerability. Check with your device manufacturer for the specific patch release that includes the fix for CVE-2025-61615.
Workarounds
- Limit device exposure to untrusted networks until patches can be applied
- Use VPN connections to add an additional layer of network security
- Monitor devices for signs of exploitation and isolate affected systems
- Consider temporary use of alternative devices for critical operations if patches are not immediately available
# Check Android security patch level
adb shell getprop ro.build.version.security_patch
# Check device chipset information
adb shell getprop ro.board.platform
# Monitor modem-related logs for crash events
adb logcat -b radio | grep -i "crash\|exception\|modem"
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
