A Leader in the 2026 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Endpoint Protection. Six years running.Six years. Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ Leader.Find Out Why
Experiencing a Breach?Blog
Get StartedContact Us
SentinelOne
  • Platform
    Platform Overview
    • Singularity Platform
      Welcome to Integrated Enterprise Security
    • AI for Security
      Leading the Way in AI-Powered Security Solutions
    • Securing AI
      Accelerate AI Adoption with Secure AI Tools, Apps, and Agents.
    • How It Works
      The Singularity XDR Difference
    • Singularity Marketplace
      One-Click Integrations to Unlock the Power of XDR
    • Pricing & Packaging
      Comparisons and Guidance at a Glance
    Data & AI
    • Purple AI
      Accelerate SecOps with Generative AI
    • Singularity Hyperautomation
      Easily Automate Security Processes
    • AI-SIEM
      The AI SIEM for the Autonomous SOC
    • AI Data Pipelines
      Security Data Pipeline for AI SIEM and Data Optimization
    • Singularity Data Lake
      AI-Powered, Unified Data Lake
    • Singularity Data Lake for Log Analytics
      Seamlessly Ingest Data from On-Prem, Cloud or Hybrid Environments
    Endpoint Security
    • Singularity Endpoint
      Autonomous Prevention, Detection, and Response
    • Singularity XDR
      Native & Open Protection, Detection, and Response
    • Singularity RemoteOps Forensics
      Orchestrate Forensics at Scale
    • Singularity Threat Intelligence
      Comprehensive Adversary Intelligence
    • Singularity Vulnerability Management
      Application & OS Vulnerability Management
    • Singularity Identity
      Identity Threat Detection and Response
    Cloud Security
    • Singularity Cloud Security
      Block Attacks with an AI-Powered CNAPP
    • Singularity Cloud Native Security
      Secure Cloud and Development Resources
    • Singularity Cloud Workload Security
      Real-Time Cloud Workload Protection Platform
    • Singularity Cloud Data Security
      AI-Powered Threat Detection for Cloud Storage
    • Singularity Cloud Security Posture Management
      Detect and Remediate Cloud Misconfigurations
    Securing AI
    • Prompt Security
      Secure AI Tools Across Your Enterprise
  • Why SentinelOne?
    Why SentinelOne?
    • Why SentinelOne?
      Cybersecurity Built for What’s Next
    • Our Customers
      Trusted by the World’s Leading Enterprises
    • Industry Recognition
      Tested and Proven by the Experts
    • About Us
      The Industry Leader in Autonomous Cybersecurity
    Compare SentinelOne
    • Arctic Wolf
    • Broadcom
    • CrowdStrike
    • Cybereason
    • Microsoft
    • Palo Alto Networks
    • Sophos
    • Splunk
    • Trellix
    • Trend Micro
    • Wiz
    Verticals
    • Energy
    • Federal Government
    • Finance
    • Healthcare
    • Higher Education
    • K-12 Education
    • Manufacturing
    • Retail
    • State and Local Government
  • Services
    Managed Services
    • Managed Services Overview
      Wayfinder Threat Detection & Response
    • Threat Hunting
      World-Class Expertise and Threat Intelligence
    • Managed Detection & Response
      24/7/365 Expert MDR Across Your Entire Environment
    • Incident Readiness & Response
      DFIR, Breach Readiness, & Compromise Assessments
    Support, Deployment, & Health
    • Technical Account Management
      Customer Success with Personalized Service
    • SentinelOne GO
      Guided Onboarding & Deployment Advisory
    • SentinelOne University
      Live and On-Demand Training
    • Services Overview
      Comprehensive Solutions for Seamless Security Operations
    • SentinelOne Community
      Community Login
  • Partners
    Our Network
    • MSSP Partners
      Succeed Faster with SentinelOne
    • Singularity Marketplace
      Extend the Power of S1 Technology
    • Cyber Risk Partners
      Enlist Pro Response and Advisory Teams
    • Technology Alliances
      Integrated, Enterprise-Scale Solutions
    • SentinelOne for AWS
      Hosted in AWS Regions Around the World
    • Channel Partners
      Deliver the Right Solutions, Together
    • SentinelOne for Google Cloud
      Unified, Autonomous Security Giving Defenders the Advantage at Global Scale
    • Partner Locator
      Your Go-to Source for Our Top Partners in Your Region
    Partner Portal→
  • Resources
    Resource Center
    • Case Studies
    • Data Sheets
    • eBooks
    • Reports
    • Videos
    • Webinars
    • Whitepapers
    • Events
    View All Resources→
    Blog
    • Feature Spotlight
    • For CISO/CIO
    • From the Front Lines
    • Identity
    • Cloud
    • macOS
    • SentinelOne Blog
    Blog→
    Tech Resources
    • SentinelLABS
    • Ransomware Anthology
    • Cybersecurity 101
  • About
    About SentinelOne
    • About SentinelOne
      The Industry Leader in Cybersecurity
    • Investor Relations
      Financial Information & Events
    • SentinelLABS
      Threat Research for the Modern Threat Hunter
    • Careers
      The Latest Job Opportunities
    • Press & News
      Company Announcements
    • Cybersecurity Blog
      The Latest Cybersecurity Threats, News, & More
    • FAQ
      Get Answers to Our Most Frequently Asked Questions
    • DataSet
      The Live Data Platform
    • S Foundation
      Securing a Safer Future for All
    • S Ventures
      Investing in the Next Generation of Security, Data and AI
  • Pricing
Get StartedContact Us
CVE Vulnerability Database
Vulnerability Database/CVE-2025-21459

CVE-2025-21459: Qualcomm AR8035 Firmware DOS Vulnerability

CVE-2025-21459 is a denial of service vulnerability in Qualcomm AR8035 Firmware caused by transient DOS during per STA profile parsing in ML IE. This post covers technical details, affected versions, and mitigation.

Updated: May 15, 2026

CVE-2025-21459 Overview

CVE-2025-21459 is a transient denial-of-service (DoS) vulnerability affecting a broad range of Qualcomm chipsets and firmware. The flaw resides in the WLAN firmware code path that parses the per-STA profile contained within a Multi-Link (ML) Information Element (IE), a structure introduced with Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) for multi-link operation. An attacker within wireless range can transmit a malformed ML IE to trigger an out-of-bounds read condition, classified under [CWE-125] and [CWE-126], which causes the affected device's WLAN subsystem to crash. Qualcomm published a fix in its May 2025 Security Bulletin.

Critical Impact

Remote, unauthenticated attackers can disrupt wireless connectivity on Snapdragon-powered phones, automotive systems, IoT devices, and access points by transmitting crafted 802.11 frames containing malformed Multi-Link Information Elements.

Affected Products

  • Qualcomm FastConnect 6700, 6900, and 7800 Wi-Fi/Bluetooth subsystems
  • Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, Gen 3, and 8+ Gen 2 Mobile Platforms; Snapdragon X72/X75 5G Modem-RF
  • Qualcomm QCA, QCN, WCN, WCD, and WSA series firmware (QCA6391, QCN9274, WCN7860, WCN6755, and many others)

Discovery Timeline

  • 2025-05-06 - CVE-2025-21459 published to NVD
  • 2025-08-11 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-21459

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability is an out-of-bounds read that occurs while the Qualcomm WLAN firmware parses the per-STA profile sub-element nested inside a Multi-Link Information Element. Multi-Link Operation (MLO) is a Wi-Fi 7 feature that allows a single logical station to advertise and operate over multiple radio links simultaneously. Each affiliated radio is described by a per-STA profile carried in the ML IE. The parser reads length and offset fields supplied by the attacker without sufficiently validating that the described profile remains within the bounds of the containing element.

When the parser dereferences attacker-controlled offsets, it reads past the end of the IE buffer. The resulting fault terminates the WLAN firmware thread and tears down the wireless interface. Because no authentication or association is required, the attacker only needs to transmit a single crafted management or beacon frame within radio range. The vulnerability does not allow code execution, but it disrupts availability of any affected radio.

Root Cause

The root cause is missing or incomplete bounds checking on length fields within the per-STA profile structure. The firmware trusts attacker-supplied length values rather than validating them against the remaining IE buffer. This pattern aligns with both [CWE-125] (Out-of-Bounds Read) and [CWE-126] (Buffer Over-Read).

Attack Vector

The attack vector is adjacent wireless network access. An attacker transmits a malformed 802.11 frame containing a crafted ML IE — for example, an unprotected beacon, probe response, or association frame — to any device with an affected Qualcomm radio in scanning or connected state. The target's WLAN firmware parses the IE and crashes, dropping connectivity until the radio is reinitialized.

No verified exploitation code is publicly available. See the Qualcomm May 2025 Security Bulletin for vendor-confirmed technical details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-21459

Indicators of Compromise

  • Repeated WLAN firmware crash, restart, or subsystem reset (SSR) events in kernel logs on Qualcomm-based devices
  • Unexpected disconnects from Wi-Fi networks correlating with the presence of unknown 802.11be-capable transmitters nearby
  • Beacon or probe-response frames containing malformed or oversized Multi-Link Information Elements (Element ID 255, Extension ID 107)

Detection Strategies

  • Inspect over-the-air captures for ML IEs whose declared per-STA profile lengths exceed the containing element length
  • Correlate device-side WLAN watchdog or wlan_ssr events with timing of nearby unrecognized 802.11 transmitters
  • Deploy wireless intrusion detection sensors that decode 802.11be management frames and flag malformed IE structures

Monitoring Recommendations

  • Centralize mobile device management (MDM) telemetry to track firmware patch levels across Qualcomm-powered fleets
  • Forward kernel and WLAN subsystem logs to a central log platform to identify clusters of radio crashes
  • Monitor wireless airspace in sensitive locations for repeated transmission of malformed Multi-Link frames

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-21459

Immediate Actions Required

  • Apply the Qualcomm May 2025 security patches as soon as device manufacturers (OEMs) release them through their normal update channels
  • Inventory all endpoints, vehicles, IoT, and infrastructure devices using affected Qualcomm chipsets and prioritize patch rollout
  • Where patching is delayed, restrict use of Wi-Fi in untrusted environments and prefer wired or cellular connectivity for critical assets

Patch Information

Qualcomm released fixes for affected components in the Qualcomm May 2025 Security Bulletin. Patches are delivered to end users through OEM firmware updates for phones, automotive platforms, access points, and IoT devices. Verify that the device firmware build date or security patch level reflects the May 2025 bulletin or later.

Workarounds

  • Disable Wi-Fi 7 / Multi-Link Operation on affected client devices and access points if the configuration option is exposed
  • Operate sensitive devices on protected wireless networks with management frame protection (802.11w / PMF) required
  • Reduce Wi-Fi attack surface in high-risk locations by limiting auto-join to trusted SSIDs and disabling background scanning where feasible
bash
# Example: verify Android security patch level reflects May 2025 bulletin
adb shell getprop ro.build.version.security_patch
# Expected output: 2025-05-01 or later

Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.

  • Vulnerability Details
  • TypeDOS

  • Vendor/TechQualcomm

  • SeverityHIGH

  • CVSS Score7.5

  • EPSS Probability0.45%

  • Known ExploitedNo
  • CVSS Vector
  • CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
  • Impact Assessment
  • ConfidentialityLow
  • IntegrityNone
  • AvailabilityHigh
  • CWE References
  • CWE-126

  • CWE-125
  • Vendor Resources
  • Qualcomm May 2025 Security Bulletin
  • Related CVEs
  • CVE-2025-47401: Qualcomm Fastconnect 6200 DOS Vulnerability

  • CVE-2025-47403: Snapdragon X65 5G Modem DOS Vulnerability

  • CVE-2026-21367: Qualcomm AR8035 Firmware DOS Vulnerability

  • CVE-2026-21381: Qualcomm AR8035 Firmware DOS Vulnerability
Default Legacy - Prefooter | Experience the World’s Most Advanced Cybersecurity Platform

Experience the Most Advanced Cybersecurity Platform

See how the world’s most intelligent, autonomous cybersecurity platform can protect your organization today and into the future.

Try SentinelOne
  • Get Started
  • Get a Demo
  • Product Tour
  • Why SentinelOne
  • Pricing & Packaging
  • FAQ
  • Contact
  • Contact Us
  • Customer Support
  • SentinelOne Status
  • Language
  • Platform
  • Singularity Platform
  • Singularity Endpoint
  • Singularity Cloud
  • Singularity AI-SIEM
  • Singularity Identity
  • Singularity Marketplace
  • Purple AI
  • Services
  • Wayfinder TDR
  • SentinelOne GO
  • Technical Account Management
  • Support Services
  • Verticals
  • Energy
  • Federal Government
  • Finance
  • Healthcare
  • Higher Education
  • K-12 Education
  • Manufacturing
  • Retail
  • State and Local Government
  • Cybersecurity for SMB
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Labs
  • Case Studies
  • Videos
  • Product Tours
  • Events
  • Cybersecurity 101
  • eBooks
  • Webinars
  • Whitepapers
  • Press
  • News
  • Ransomware Anthology
  • Company
  • About Us
  • Our Customers
  • Careers
  • Partners
  • Legal & Compliance
  • Security & Compliance
  • Investor Relations
  • S Foundation
  • S Ventures

©2026 SentinelOne, All Rights Reserved.

Privacy Notice Terms of Use

English