CVE-2025-47376: Qualcomm AR8031 Race Condition Vulnerability

CVE-2025-47376 Overview

CVE-2025-47376 is a Use After Free (CWE-416) memory corruption vulnerability affecting a wide range of Qualcomm chipset firmware. The vulnerability occurs when concurrent access to a shared buffer takes place during IOCTL (Input/Output Control) calls, leading to memory corruption conditions that could enable an attacker to achieve code execution, privilege escalation, or denial of service on affected devices.

This vulnerability impacts an extensive portfolio of Qualcomm products spanning mobile platforms, automotive systems, IoT devices, wearables, and connectivity modules. The broad scope of affected devices—from flagship Snapdragon mobile platforms to automotive and robotics solutions—underscores the critical nature of this security issue.

Critical Impact

A local attacker with low privileges could exploit this Use After Free vulnerability to corrupt memory during concurrent IOCTL operations, potentially achieving arbitrary code execution, escalating privileges, or causing system instability across mobile devices, automotive systems, and IoT equipment.

Affected Products

• Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform Firmware
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform Firmware
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G Mobile Platform Firmware
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 5G Mobile Platform Firmware
• Qualcomm FastConnect 6200/6700/6800/6900/7800 Firmware
• Qualcomm SA8255P/SA8295P Automotive Platform Firmware
• Qualcomm Robotics RB5 Platform Firmware
• Qualcomm QCA6696/QCA6698AQ Connectivity Firmware
• Qualcomm WCD9380/WCD9385/WCD9390 Audio Codec Firmware

Discovery Timeline

• March 2, 2026 - CVE-2025-47376 published to NVD
• March 4, 2026 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-47376

Vulnerability Analysis

This Use After Free vulnerability (CWE-416) exists in the IOCTL handler code paths within Qualcomm chipset firmware. The flaw manifests when multiple threads or processes concurrently access a shared memory buffer during IOCTL system calls. Without proper synchronization mechanisms, a race condition can occur where one execution context frees a buffer while another context still holds a reference to that memory location. Subsequent access to this freed memory constitutes a Use After Free condition.

The exploitation of this vulnerability requires local access to the system, making it relevant for scenarios involving malicious applications on mobile devices, compromised automotive infotainment systems, or untrusted code execution on IoT platforms. An attacker who successfully exploits this flaw could achieve arbitrary code execution in the context of the vulnerable driver, potentially leading to complete device compromise.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2025-47376 is improper memory synchronization during concurrent IOCTL operations. Specifically, the vulnerable code lacks adequate locking mechanisms or reference counting to protect shared buffer access when multiple threads simultaneously invoke IOCTL calls. This creates a Time-of-Check Time-of-Use (TOCTOU) race condition where the validity of a memory pointer can change between verification and use.

In Use After Free scenarios, freed memory may be reallocated for different purposes before the dangling pointer is dereferenced. An attacker can manipulate heap allocation patterns to control the contents of the reallocated memory, enabling them to hijack program control flow when the corrupted pointer is subsequently accessed.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is local, requiring an attacker to have code execution capability on the target device. Exploitation involves triggering the race condition by orchestrating concurrent IOCTL calls that access the vulnerable shared buffer. The attacker would typically:

1. Identify the vulnerable IOCTL code path that handles the shared buffer
2. Create multiple threads or processes that simultaneously invoke the target IOCTL
3. Manipulate timing to cause one thread to free the buffer while another retains a reference
4. Spray the heap with controlled data to occupy the freed memory region
5. Trigger the dangling pointer dereference to achieve code execution or information disclosure

The vulnerability can be exploited to corrupt memory structures, overwrite function pointers, or leak sensitive kernel information depending on the specific allocation and access patterns.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-47376

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected system crashes or reboots potentially indicating memory corruption exploitation attempts
• Anomalous IOCTL call patterns with high concurrency from a single application
• Kernel panic logs referencing freed memory access or invalid pointer dereferences in Qualcomm driver modules
• Suspicious heap spray activity observed in memory allocation patterns

Detection Strategies

• Deploy kernel-level monitoring to track IOCTL call frequency and concurrency patterns from user-space applications
• Implement SentinelOne's behavioral AI engine to detect exploitation attempts targeting driver vulnerabilities
• Monitor for privilege escalation indicators following abnormal driver interactions
• Enable crash dump analysis to identify Use After Free signatures in memory corruption events

Monitoring Recommendations

• Configure endpoint detection solutions to alert on anomalous driver interactions and IOCTL abuse patterns
• Implement system call auditing on mobile and embedded platforms where possible
• Utilize SentinelOne Singularity platform for real-time threat detection across mobile and IoT device fleets
• Review system logs for evidence of repeated application crashes that may indicate exploitation attempts

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-47376

Immediate Actions Required

• Apply the latest firmware updates from Qualcomm and device OEMs as soon as they become available
• Review the Qualcomm March 2026 Security Bulletin for specific patch information and affected product details
• Prioritize patching devices in high-security environments including automotive and industrial IoT deployments
• Implement application sandboxing and permission restrictions to limit potential exploitation vectors

Patch Information

Qualcomm has disclosed this vulnerability in their March 2026 Security Bulletin. Affected device manufacturers and OEMs should obtain the relevant firmware patches through Qualcomm's standard security update distribution channels. End users should apply security updates provided by their device manufacturers as they become available.

For detailed patch information and the complete list of affected chipsets, refer to the Qualcomm March 2026 Security Bulletin.

Workarounds

• Restrict application installation to trusted sources to minimize the risk of malicious code execution
• Implement Mobile Device Management (MDM) policies to enforce security configurations on enterprise devices
• Limit user privileges where possible to reduce the impact of potential exploitation
• Monitor device behavior for signs of compromise while awaiting firmware updates

# Example: Check device firmware version on Android (varies by manufacturer)
# Verify current security patch level
adb shell getprop ro.build.version.security_patch

# Check for available system updates
# Settings > System > System Update (path varies by device)