CVE-2025-21480: Qualcomm Multiple Chipsets Incorrect Authorization Vulnerability
Qualcomm · Multiple Chipsets · NVD published 2025-06-03 · posted 2025-06-03 · last modified 2026-06-17
What it is
Memory corruption due to unauthorized command execution in GPU micronode while executing specific sequence of commands.
| Weakness | CWE-863 |
|---|---|
| CVSS vector | CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H (source: [email protected]) |
| CISA due date | 2025-06-24 (for US federal agencies under BOD; a good deadline for everyone) |
| ATT&CK tactics | Privilege Escalation → Stealth → Impact |
Exploitation evidence
First exploit evidence seen: 2025-06-03 (earliest date across the sources below).
Exploited in the wild
- CISA KEV: listed since 2025-06-03. Source
Sources: CISA KEV.
Defend the Chain
The attack chain for CVE-2025-21480 laid across the MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise tactics. Solid cards come from the MITRE CTID KEV mappings; dashed cards are inferred by CVERadar from the CWE or description. Correct defences are real ATT&CK mitigations for that technique.
Pick a red technique card on the board, then choose the defence that stops it.
Defend against T1055 Process Injection CTID: exploitation technique
How to fix it
CISA 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. (source: CISA KEV)
Fixed versions
NVD does not list a fixed version for this CVE. Use the vendor advisory below.
Derived from the NVD CPE configuration (versionEndExcluding / versionEndIncluding). Always confirm with the vendor advisory.
Vendor advisories and patches
- https://docs.qualcomm.com/product/publicresources/securitybulletin/june-2025-bulletin.html (CISA KEV notes)
MITRE ATT&CK mitigations for this chain
- M1026 Privileged Account Management (for T1055, T1495) : Utilize Yama (ex: /proc/sys/kernel/yama/ptrace_scope) to mitigate ptrace based process injection by restricting the use of ptrace to privileged users only. Other mitigation controls involve the deployment of security kernel modules that provide advanced access control and process restrictions such as SELinux, grsecurit
- M1040 Behavior Prevention on Endpoint (for T1055) : Some endpoint security solutions can be configured to block some types of process injection based on common sequences of behavior that occur during the injection process. For example, on Windows 10, Attack Surface Reduction (ASR) rules may prevent Office applications from code injection.
- M1051 Update Software (for T1495) : Patch the BIOS and other firmware as necessary to prevent successful use of known vulnerabilities.
- M1046 Boot Integrity (for T1495) : Check the integrity of the existing BIOS and device firmware to determine if it is vulnerable to modification.
Detection Generic guidance
- Privilege Escalation: Alert on processes gaining SYSTEM/root unexpectedly, and on exploitation crashes of privileged services.
- Impact: Monitor service availability, unexpected encryption activity and mass file changes.
Response checklist Generic guidance
- Inventory: find every instance of the affected product and version (include internet-facing and forgotten ones).
- Patch or mitigate per the vendor advisory; if you cannot patch, remove internet exposure or apply the vendor workaround.
- Assume compromise if the system was exposed before patching: hunt for the indicators in the advisory and review logs back to the disclosure date.
- Rotate credentials and secrets stored on or used by the affected system if compromise cannot be ruled out.