Qualcomm Multiple Chipsets Incorrect Authorization
CVE-2025-21480 is a high-severity incorrect authorization vulnerability in Snapdragon from Qualcomm, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.6 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an unauthenticated attacker, but only if a user takes part, for example by opening a link or file. Affected Snapdragon versions: AQT1000; FastConnect 6200; FastConnect 6700, and others listed below. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. CISA added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue on June 3, 2025, which means attacks have been observed in the wild.
Attackers are already exploiting this vulnerability, according to CISA.
What to do
- Check which version of Snapdragon you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- CISA's required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
- Read the advisory on docs.qualcomm.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Because the attack needs a user to take part, warn users about unexpected links and files related to this product until it is patched.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qualcomm | Snapdragon | AQT1000; FastConnect 6200; FastConnect 6700; FastConnect 6800; FastConnect 6900; FastConnect 7800; QCA6391; QCM4490; and 32 more ranges | Not stated |
| Qualcomm | Aqt1000 Firmware | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Qualcomm | Fastconnect 6200 Firmware | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Qualcomm | Fastconnect 6700 Firmware | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Qualcomm | Fastconnect 6800 Firmware | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Qualcomm | Fastconnect 6900 Firmware | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Qualcomm | Fastconnect 7800 Firmware | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Qualcomm | Qca6391 Firmware | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Qualcomm | Qcm4490 Firmware | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Qualcomm | Qcs4490 Firmware | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Qualcomm | Sc8380xp Firmware | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Qualcomm | Sd855 Firmware | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Qualcomm | Sm4635 Firmware | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Qualcomm | Sm6250 Firmware | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Qualcomm | Sm6650 Firmware | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Qualcomm | Sm6650p Firmware | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Qualcomm | Sm7325p Firmware | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Qualcomm | Sm7635 Firmware | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Qualcomm | Sm7675 Firmware | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Qualcomm | Sm7675p Firmware | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Qualcomm | Sm8550p Firmware | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Qualcomm | Sm8635 Firmware | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Qualcomm | Sm8635p Firmware | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Qualcomm | Sm8650q Firmware | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Qualcomm | Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 Mobile Platform Firmware | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE; 35 further products are omitted here. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- RequiredA user must take an action such as opening a file or link.
- Scope
- ChangedThe attack can reach beyond the vulnerable component into other systems.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (qualcomm.com).
Official description
Memory corruption due to unauthorized command execution in GPU micronode while executing specific sequence of commands.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Incorrect Authorization
The product performs an authorization check when an actor attempts to access a resource or perform an action, but it does not correctly perform the check.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Divide the product into anonymous, normal, privileged, and administrative areas. Reduce the attack surface by carefully mapping roles with data and functionality. Use role-based access control (RBAC) to enforce the roles at the appropriate boundaries. Note that this approach may not protect against horizontal authorization, i.e., it will not protect a user from attacking others with the same role.
- Ensure that access control checks are performed related to the business logic. These checks may be different than the access control checks that are applied to more generic resources such as files, connections, processes, memory, and database records. For example, a database may restrict access for medical records to a specific database user, but each record might only be intended to be accessible to the patient and the patient's doctor.
- Use a vetted library or framework that does not allow this weakness to occur or provides constructs that make this weakness easier to avoid. For example, consider using authorization frameworks such as the JAAS Authorization Framework and the OWASP ESAPI Access Control feature.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- Added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: active, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Deadline for US federal agencies to remediate, set by CISA.
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Third-party and government advisories
- cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2025-21480US Government Resource
Other vulnerabilities in Snapdragon
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.0 High severity
Recent Incorrect Authorization vulnerabilities
- 8.6 High severity
- 8.3 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.3 High severity
- 9.3 Critical severity
- 8.1 High severity
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