CVE-2026-25281 Overview
CVE-2026-25281 is a transient denial-of-service (DoS) vulnerability caused by insufficient memory allocation validation when processing large or numerous request buffers. The flaw is classified under [CWE-770] (Allocation of Resources Without Limits or Throttling) and was published in the Qualcomm September 2026 Security Bulletin. An adjacent-network attacker can trigger resource exhaustion without authentication or user interaction, causing service disruption on affected components.
Critical Impact
An unauthenticated attacker on an adjacent network can exhaust memory resources and induce a transient denial of service, disrupting availability of affected Qualcomm components.
Affected Products
- Qualcomm components referenced in the September 2026 Security Bulletin
- Specific chipsets and driver versions listed in the vendor advisory
- See the Qualcomm September 2026 Security Bulletin for the complete component matrix
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-09-17 - CVE-2026-25281 published to NVD
- 2026-09-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-25281
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability arises when the affected component processes incoming request buffers without validating the size or quantity of memory allocations. An attacker on an adjacent network can submit large buffers or a high volume of requests, forcing the component to allocate memory without upper bounds. This behavior aligns with [CWE-770], where missing throttling or quota enforcement enables resource exhaustion.
The outcome is a transient DoS condition. The affected service or subsystem becomes unavailable until memory pressure subsides or the device is reset. Because the scope is marked as changed, the impact extends beyond the vulnerable component itself and can affect other resources on the device.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing input validation on request buffer size and count prior to memory allocation. The component trusts attacker-controlled fields that determine allocation dimensions and does not enforce ceilings, rate limits, or per-session quotas. This allows a small number of malformed or oversized requests to consume disproportionate memory.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires network adjacency, meaning the attacker must reside on the same logical network segment as the target (for example, the same Wi-Fi or Bluetooth range). No privileges or user interaction are required. The attacker crafts request buffers that are either unusually large or sent in rapid succession, exceeding available memory and triggering the DoS.
No public proof-of-concept code has been released, and the vulnerability is not listed on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. Refer to the Qualcomm September 2026 Security Bulletin for component-specific exploitation details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-25281
Indicators of Compromise
- Sudden spikes in memory allocation on affected Qualcomm subsystems followed by service restarts or kernel panics
- Unexplained crashes of network or radio-layer drivers on devices using vulnerable components
- Abnormally large or high-frequency request patterns observed on adjacent network interfaces
Detection Strategies
- Monitor kernel and driver logs for out-of-memory conditions and allocation failures tied to request-processing paths
- Correlate wireless or adjacent-network traffic anomalies with device instability events
- Baseline normal buffer sizes for the affected protocol and alert on statistical outliers
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable verbose logging on affected components where supported by the vendor
- Aggregate device health telemetry (crash counters, watchdog resets) into a centralized SIEM for trend analysis
- Track adjacent-network exposure by inventorying devices that expose vulnerable interfaces in untrusted environments
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-25281
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the security update referenced in the Qualcomm September 2026 Security Bulletin as soon as it is available from the device OEM
- Inventory all devices containing affected Qualcomm components and prioritize patching for those exposed to untrusted adjacent networks
- Restrict device usage on public Wi-Fi and untrusted wireless networks until the patch is applied
Patch Information
Qualcomm has published fixes as part of the September 2026 Security Bulletin. Downstream OEMs must integrate these patches into device firmware and OS updates. Consult the Qualcomm September 2026 Security Bulletin for the authoritative list of patched components and version identifiers.
Workarounds
- Disable or restrict adjacent-network interfaces (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth) on affected devices when not required
- Segment vulnerable devices onto isolated network zones to limit adjacent-network attacker reach
- Enforce network access controls that block unknown or untrusted clients from communicating with vulnerable device interfaces
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.