CVE-2025-27051: Qualcomm Fastconnect Use After Free Flaw

CVE-2025-27051 Overview

CVE-2025-27051 is a memory corruption vulnerability affecting the WLAN Host component in multiple Qualcomm chipsets and firmware packages. The flaw occurs while processing command messages and is classified as a double free issue under [CWE-415]. A local attacker with low privileges can trigger the condition to compromise confidentiality, integrity, and availability on the affected device. Qualcomm addressed the issue in the July 2025 security bulletin.

Critical Impact
Local attackers can corrupt WLAN Host memory to achieve arbitrary code execution or escalate privileges on devices using vulnerable Qualcomm firmware.

Affected Products

Qualcomm FastConnect 6900 and FastConnect 7800 (firmware and hardware)
Qualcomm QCC2073, QCC2076, and SC8380XP (firmware and hardware)
Qualcomm WCD9380, WCD9385, WSA8840, WSA8845, and WSA8845H (firmware and hardware)

Discovery Timeline

2025-07-08 - CVE-2025-27051 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-27051

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in the WLAN Host subsystem responsible for handling command messages exchanged between the host processor and Qualcomm's wireless connectivity stack. Processing a crafted command message causes the same memory region to be released twice, resulting in a double free condition [CWE-415]. Double free bugs corrupt heap allocator metadata and allow an attacker to influence subsequent allocations. On mobile and embedded platforms, this typically translates into arbitrary write primitives that can be chained into code execution within a privileged component.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper lifecycle management of a memory buffer during WLAN command message processing. The code path releases a heap object without clearing the pointer or synchronizing state, and a subsequent code branch frees the same pointer again. The condition is reachable from local, low-privileged contexts capable of interacting with the WLAN Host driver interfaces.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires local access with low privileges and no user interaction. An attacker running code on the device sends a crafted command message to the WLAN Host component to trigger the double free. Successful exploitation corrupts heap structures used by the WLAN stack, enabling arbitrary code execution or privilege escalation into the wireless subsystem. Because the attack vector is local, remote wireless exploitation is not indicated in the vendor advisory.

No public proof-of-concept or exploit code is available for CVE-2025-27051 at the time of publication. Technical details are limited to those disclosed in the Qualcomm July 2025 Security Bulletin.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-27051

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected crashes, kernel panics, or reboots referencing the WLAN Host driver or connectivity subsystem
Anomalous processes or unsigned binaries interacting with WLAN command interfaces on Qualcomm-based devices
Firmware version strings indicating unpatched FastConnect, QCC, SC8380XP, WCD, or WSA components

Detection Strategies

Inventory endpoints and embedded devices to identify affected Qualcomm chipsets and firmware revisions listed in the July 2025 bulletin
Correlate device crash telemetry with local process activity to identify potential exploitation attempts against the WLAN Host driver
Monitor for privilege escalation events originating from user-space processes that communicate with wireless subsystems

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable behavioral endpoint telemetry on managed devices to flag anomalous kernel or driver interactions
Track firmware update compliance across mobile and IoT fleets using MDM or device management platforms
Review vendor security bulletins monthly for downstream OEM patch availability affecting the impacted Qualcomm SKUs

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-27051

Immediate Actions Required

Apply firmware updates from device OEMs that incorporate the Qualcomm July 2025 security bulletin fixes
Restrict local access to affected devices and enforce least-privilege application installation policies
Validate that mobile device management policies block installation of untrusted applications on impacted hardware

Patch Information

Qualcomm released fixes for CVE-2025-27051 in the July 2025 security bulletin. OEMs integrating the affected chipsets must ship updated firmware to end devices. Refer to the Qualcomm July 2025 Security Bulletin for the authoritative patch list and affected component versions.

Workarounds

No official workaround is documented by Qualcomm; patching is the required remediation
Reduce local attack surface by removing unnecessary applications with access to WLAN command interfaces
Isolate unpatched IoT and embedded devices on segmented networks until firmware updates are available

bash

# Verify Android device patch level after OEM firmware update
adb shell getprop ro.build.version.security_patch
adb shell getprop ro.vendor.build.security_patch