CVE-2025-62815 Overview
A NULL pointer dereference vulnerability has been discovered in Samsung Mobile Processor Exynos firmware affecting multiple Exynos chipsets. The vulnerability exists within the NPU (Neural Processing Unit) driver component, specifically in the set_cpu_affinity() function where npu_proto_drv.ast.thread_ref is improperly handled, leading to a denial of service condition.
Critical Impact
Local attackers with low privileges can exploit this vulnerability to cause a denial of service on affected Samsung devices by triggering a system crash through the NPU driver.
Affected Products
- Samsung Exynos 1380 and Exynos 1380 Firmware
- Samsung Exynos 1480 and Exynos 1480 Firmware
- Samsung Exynos 1580 and Exynos 1580 Firmware
- Samsung Exynos 2400 and Exynos 2400 Firmware
- Samsung Exynos 2500 and Exynos 2500 Firmware
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-03-03 - CVE-2025-62815 published to NVD
- 2026-03-04 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-62815
Vulnerability Analysis
This vulnerability is classified as CWE-476 (NULL Pointer Dereference). The flaw resides in the NPU protocol driver within the Samsung Exynos mobile processor firmware. When the set_cpu_affinity() function is invoked, it attempts to access npu_proto_drv.ast.thread_ref without proper validation, leading to a NULL pointer dereference when this reference is uninitialized or has been invalidated.
The vulnerability requires local access to the device, meaning an attacker would need to execute malicious code on the target device to trigger the condition. While the attack complexity is low and no user interaction is required, the attacker must have low-level privileges to invoke the vulnerable code path.
The impact is limited to availability—the vulnerability does not allow for data confidentiality breaches or integrity violations. However, successful exploitation results in a complete denial of service, potentially causing the device to crash or become unresponsive.
Root Cause
The root cause of this vulnerability is insufficient validation of pointer references within the NPU driver before dereferencing. The thread_ref member of the npu_proto_drv.ast structure is accessed without checking whether it contains a valid, non-NULL pointer. This represents a common programming error in kernel and firmware code where pointer validity is assumed rather than verified.
Attack Vector
The attack requires local access to the affected device. An attacker with low-level privileges on a device using one of the affected Exynos processors could craft a specific sequence of operations targeting the NPU driver interface. By manipulating the state of the driver or timing interactions to ensure thread_ref is NULL when set_cpu_affinity() is called, the attacker can trigger the NULL pointer dereference.
This could be achieved through a malicious application installed on the device that interacts with the NPU driver through exposed interfaces, or through other local code execution vectors that allow interaction with the kernel driver.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-62815
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected device crashes or reboots, particularly when NPU-intensive applications are running
- Kernel panic logs referencing set_cpu_affinity or npu_proto_drv components
- Abnormal application behavior attempting to interact with NPU driver interfaces
Detection Strategies
- Monitor for kernel panic events with stack traces pointing to NPU driver components
- Implement anomaly detection for unusual patterns of NPU driver interface calls
- Review device logs for repeated crashes associated with neural processing operations
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable verbose logging for NPU driver operations on devices during security testing
- Implement crash reporting and analysis to identify exploitation attempts
- Monitor for applications requesting unusual permissions related to NPU functionality
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-62815
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply firmware updates from Samsung as they become available for affected Exynos processors
- Review installed applications and remove any untrusted software that may attempt to exploit this vulnerability
- Limit device access to trusted users until patches are applied
Patch Information
Samsung has published security information regarding this vulnerability. Organizations and users should monitor the Samsung Product Security Updates page and the specific CVE-2025-62815 advisory for patch availability and firmware update instructions.
Device manufacturers incorporating affected Exynos processors should coordinate with Samsung to obtain and distribute firmware updates to end users through their standard update channels.
Workarounds
- Restrict installation of applications from untrusted sources to reduce the attack surface
- Limit physical and logical access to affected devices
- Consider disabling NPU functionality if not required for business operations and if such configuration is supported by the device manufacturer
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
