What's happened to this plaster underneath wallpaper?

[AMW]

So we've removed the wallpaper on one wall that the previous owners had on. Wallpaper came off quite easily but underneath the paper on the plaster (or plasterboard but presume it's plaster) there a lots of tiny little cracks all over the wall. Can barely get your fingernail in them if at all in some cases and it feels quite smooth? What is this and can it be fixed easily so we can paint over it?
Been suggested it might be moisture in the old paint underneath and it has cracked but can't peel the paint of at all. Wall is fairly smooth just all the little micro cracks! It's an exterior facing wall if that matters. Possible to just sand flat and go from there? Wallpaper was removed with sponge and water and a scraper. House is 2008 so not too old.
Thanks for any help, pictures below....

 

[Wayners]

Is it possible that's another layer of wallpaper? Dig a bit.
Could be painted wallpaper and the emulsion has cracked so was papered over.
Is there plaster under surface.
Is the wall hollow sounding when you knock or solid brick?

 

[AMW]

I could try that, just don't want to damage the plaster! It could be though....

Wall's hollow sounding in places, solid in others....so I guess it's timber behind with dot and dab plasterboard? (Sorry I'm no expert!)

 

[JohnD]

It looks to me like the paint is checking. Not adhering properly and shrank as it dried.

House is not old enough to have Distemper, but it might be paint over some poor material such as glue or paste.

Are there any brown stains or odour suggesting a smoker?

 

[lostinthelight]

Is this an old property with lime plaster

 

[JohnD]

House is 2008

No.

 

[AMW]

It looks to me like the paint is checking. Not adhering properly and shrank as it dried.

House is not old enough to have Distemper, but it might be paint over some poor material such as glue or paste.

Are there any brown stains or odour suggesting a smoker?

Thanks for the reply. No stains or everything evidence of smoking at all, pretty sure it’s been a smoke free house.
The other half who did most of this did say it looks like maybe another lay of red paint underneath this…..will have to investigate that further tomorrow……
Either way then it’s not the plaster itself which I guess is good news at least!

Sorry and yes as above house is 2008 built

 

[JohnD]

Might it be matt paint over gloss or silk?

 

[AMW]

Might it be matt paint over gloss or silk?

Could well be….do you know of what we can do with it in terms of painting over it or is best to try remove whatever it is?

 

[Wayners]

All the surface crazing is vertical? That suggests it's following something that's under.. just dig at it

 

[Koolpc]

The wall is suffering from cellulite..