CVE-2025-27044 Overview
CVE-2025-27044 is a memory corruption vulnerability affecting multiple Qualcomm firmware components. The flaw occurs while executing a timestamp video decode command when supplied with large input values. Qualcomm published the vulnerability in its July 2025 Security Bulletin, and it maps to an out-of-bounds write weakness [CWE-787]. Exploitation requires local access with low privileges and no user interaction, and can lead to compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability on affected devices.
Critical Impact
A local attacker with low privileges can trigger memory corruption in the video decode path, enabling code execution in a privileged firmware context on affected Qualcomm chipsets.
Affected Products
- Qualcomm FastConnect 6900 and FastConnect 7800 (firmware and hardware)
- Qualcomm SC8380XP compute platform (firmware and hardware)
- Qualcomm WCD9380, WCD9385 audio codecs and WSA8840, WSA8845, WSA8845H smart speaker amplifiers
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-07-08 - CVE-2025-27044 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-27044
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in the timestamp video decode command handler within affected Qualcomm firmware. When the handler processes a command containing large input values, it writes past the bounds of a target buffer. This out-of-bounds write [CWE-787] corrupts adjacent memory structures used by the firmware component.
Because the flaw is reachable only from the local device, an attacker must first obtain code execution with low privileges on the host. From that position, the attacker interacts with the video decode command interface to trigger the corruption. Successful exploitation can compromise data confidentiality, modify firmware state, and destabilize the affected component.
Root Cause
The root cause is insufficient validation of input size parameters passed to the timestamp video decode command. The firmware trusts caller-supplied length or index values without enforcing upper bounds, allowing the write operation to exceed the target buffer. This class of defect is a classic out-of-bounds write in a privileged firmware routine.
Attack Vector
An attacker executes the exploit locally against the target device. The attacker issues a crafted timestamp video decode command containing oversized input values through the interface exposed to user-space or kernel clients. When the firmware processes the command, the out-of-bounds write occurs, and the attacker can influence firmware memory to elevate privileges or execute code in the firmware context.
No verified public proof-of-concept exists at the time of writing. Refer to the Qualcomm July 2025 Security Bulletin for vendor-supplied technical context.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-27044
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected crashes, resets, or watchdog events involving the audio, video, or connectivity firmware components on Snapdragon-based devices.
- Kernel logs referencing faults in Qualcomm video decode or DSP drivers after userland activity involving media processing.
- Unsigned or unexpected processes issuing ioctl or command calls to Qualcomm media firmware interfaces.
Detection Strategies
- Monitor system logs and crash reports for repeated firmware faults tied to video decode paths.
- Baseline legitimate applications that invoke Qualcomm media APIs and alert on unauthorized callers.
- Correlate local privilege escalation attempts with subsequent access to hardware-backed media interfaces.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Ingest OEM crash telemetry and device kernel logs into a centralized analytics platform to identify anomalous firmware faults.
- Track device firmware versions across the fleet to confirm which endpoints remain unpatched.
- Alert on installation of unsigned applications on devices exposing the affected Qualcomm components.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-27044
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the Qualcomm July 2025 security update through the OEM channel for every affected chipset and firmware component listed in the advisory.
- Inventory devices containing FastConnect 6900, FastConnect 7800, SC8380XP, WCD9380, WCD9385, WSA8840, WSA8845, and WSA8845H components.
- Restrict installation of untrusted local applications that could reach the vulnerable video decode command interface.
Patch Information
Qualcomm addressed CVE-2025-27044 in its July 2025 Security Bulletin. Fixes are delivered to OEMs, who must integrate the updated firmware into device software updates. End users should install the latest OEM-provided update that references the July 2025 Qualcomm patch level.
Workarounds
- No vendor-supplied workaround exists; applying the firmware update is the only complete remediation.
- Reduce local attack surface by enforcing application allowlisting and blocking sideloaded software on affected devices.
- Require least-privilege execution for applications that call media or DSP APIs on Qualcomm platforms.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
