CVE-2025-62817: Samsung Exynos 1280 Firmware DOS Vulnerability

CVE-2025-62817 Overview

CVE-2025-62817 is a NULL pointer dereference vulnerability affecting multiple Samsung Mobile Processor (Exynos) chipsets. The flaw resides in the __pilot_parsing_ncp() function, where session->ncp_hdr_buf is dereferenced without prior validation. An attacker can trigger the dereference remotely, causing a denial of service on affected mobile devices. The issue impacts Exynos 1280, 1380, 1480, 1580, 2200, 2400, and 2500 baseband processors used in Samsung Galaxy series smartphones. The vulnerability is tracked under [CWE-476: NULL Pointer Dereference].

Critical Impact

Remote attackers can crash the cellular baseband stack across a wide range of Samsung Galaxy devices, disrupting mobile connectivity without authentication or user interaction.

Affected Products

• Samsung Exynos 1280, 1380, 1480, and 1580 firmware
• Samsung Exynos 2200, 2400, and 2500 firmware
• Samsung Galaxy devices shipping with the affected Exynos modems

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-03-03 - CVE-2025-62817 published to NVD
• 2026-03-10 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-62817

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in the Exynos baseband modem firmware, specifically in the __pilot_parsing_ncp() function responsible for parsing Network Control Protocol (NCP) headers. The function references session->ncp_hdr_buf without checking whether the pointer was successfully allocated or populated. When the pointer is NULL, the dereference results in a fault that terminates the modem process and disrupts radio communication.

NCP parsing is invoked during cellular signaling exchanges, so the attack surface is reachable over the air. Successful exploitation does not require authentication, user interaction, or local access, making the issue trivially triggerable by an attacker who can deliver a crafted radio message. The flaw does not enable code execution or information disclosure but impacts availability of the cellular stack.

Root Cause

The root cause is missing pointer validation prior to use in __pilot_parsing_ncp(). The session state machine permits the parser to be entered before ncp_hdr_buf is assigned, leaving the pointer at its initialized NULL value. The absence of a defensive check before dereference is consistent with [CWE-476].

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based, reachable through the cellular radio interface. A malicious base station or attacker controlling adjacent radio infrastructure can deliver a malformed NCP message that drives the session into the vulnerable parsing path. The result is a modem crash and loss of cellular service until the device or modem reinitializes.

No verified proof-of-concept code is publicly available. The vulnerability is described in prose only because realCodeExamples were not provided in the source data. See the Samsung CVE-2025-62817 advisory for vendor technical details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-62817

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected and repeated modem resets or radio interface restarts on affected Galaxy devices
• Sudden loss of cellular registration followed by automatic re-attachment cycles
• Kernel or RIL (Radio Interface Layer) log entries referencing crashes in baseband NCP parsing

Detection Strategies

• Monitor mobile device management (MDM) telemetry for elevated rates of modem crash dumps and baseband panic reports on Exynos-based devices
• Correlate cellular drops with proximity to unrecognized or rogue base stations using device location and signal metadata
• Inspect carrier-side signaling logs for anomalous NCP header structures targeting Samsung Exynos subscribers

Monitoring Recommendations

• Track Samsung security bulletins and firmware update telemetry to confirm devices receive the patched baseband image
• Aggregate device crash logs into a centralized analytics pipeline to identify regional spikes consistent with radio-based attacks
• Alert on devices that exhibit repeated cellular re-registration patterns within short time windows

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-62817

Immediate Actions Required

• Apply the latest Samsung firmware update for any device equipped with Exynos 1280, 1380, 1480, 1580, 2200, 2400, or 2500 processors
• Enroll mobile devices into an MDM platform to enforce timely delivery of Samsung security patches
• Inventory affected handsets in the fleet and prioritize patching for high-availability users such as executives and field personnel

Patch Information

Samsung has published an advisory for CVE-2025-62817 through its Semiconductor Product Security Updates portal. Refer to the Samsung Security Updates page and the CVE-2025-62817 advisory for the list of patched firmware versions and affected device models. Apply the firmware update distributed through Samsung's monthly security maintenance release.

Workarounds

• Restrict use of affected devices on untrusted cellular networks where rogue base station activity is suspected
• Prefer Wi-Fi connectivity with cellular disabled in high-risk environments until firmware updates are deployed
• Encourage users to reboot the device if persistent loss of cellular service occurs, restoring modem state after a crash