CVE-2026-25294: Transient DOS Vulnerability in Frame Parsing

CVE-2026-25294 Overview

CVE-2026-25294 is a transient denial-of-service vulnerability in Qualcomm components. The flaw occurs while parsing a frame during channel usage and is triggered by malformed input over an adjacent network. The weakness is classified as [CWE-126] Buffer Over-read, where the parser reads beyond the intended memory boundary while processing frame data.

An attacker within radio range can send a crafted frame to disrupt the affected component. Successful exploitation causes availability loss without requiring authentication or user interaction. The vulnerability is documented in the Qualcomm September 2026 Security Bulletin.

Critical Impact
Unauthenticated attackers on an adjacent network can trigger a transient denial-of-service condition, disrupting wireless connectivity and channel operations on affected Qualcomm devices.

Affected Products

Qualcomm chipsets referenced in the September 2026 Security Bulletin
Devices integrating vulnerable Qualcomm wireless components
Downstream OEM firmware built on affected Qualcomm baselines

Discovery Timeline

2026-09-17 - CVE CVE-2026-25294 published to NVD
2026-09-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-25294

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in the frame-parsing logic used during channel usage operations in a Qualcomm wireless component. When the parser processes a specially crafted frame, it reads memory beyond the buffer's intended boundary. This buffer over-read leads to a transient denial-of-service condition affecting the component's availability.

The issue is exploitable over an adjacent network, meaning the attacker must be within radio range of the target. No privileges or user interaction are required. Confidentiality and integrity are not directly affected, but the scope changes because the wireless component impacts other system functionality that depends on connectivity.

Root Cause

The root cause is a buffer over-read [CWE-126] in the frame parser. The parser fails to validate a length or offset field before dereferencing memory during channel-related frame handling. Reading past the allocated buffer returns unintended data or triggers a fault that halts frame processing.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires the attacker to transmit a malformed frame on the same wireless channel as the target. When the vulnerable parser consumes the frame, the over-read condition disrupts the component. The denial-of-service is transient, meaning normal operation resumes after the component recovers or restarts, but repeated attacks can sustain the disruption.

No verified proof-of-concept code is available. Technical specifics are limited to the vendor advisory referenced above.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-25294

Indicators of Compromise

Recurring wireless disconnections or channel resets on Qualcomm-based devices without a corresponding environmental cause
Kernel or driver logs referencing frame parsing errors, buffer read faults, or wireless subsystem restarts
Unexpected reboots or radio stack reinitialization events in device telemetry

Detection Strategies

Monitor wireless driver crash logs and kernel messages for repeated parser exceptions tied to channel operations
Baseline wireless uptime metrics on managed endpoints and alert on abnormal disconnect frequency in localized areas
Correlate device telemetry across nearby endpoints to identify patterns suggesting an adjacent-network attacker

Monitoring Recommendations

Collect endpoint telemetry that includes wireless subsystem health and driver fault events
Track firmware and driver versions across the fleet to identify unpatched Qualcomm components
Review physical zones with clusters of wireless failures for potential rogue transmitters

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-25294

Immediate Actions Required

Identify devices running affected Qualcomm chipsets referenced in the September 2026 Security Bulletin
Apply firmware and driver updates provided by the device OEM as soon as they are distributed
Prioritize remediation for devices operating in high-density or untrusted wireless environments

Patch Information

Qualcomm published fixes through its September 2026 Security Bulletin. Device manufacturers integrate these patches into downstream firmware images. Consult the Qualcomm September 2026 Security Bulletin for component-level details, and monitor OEM update channels for the corresponding firmware release.

Workarounds

Restrict device operation to trusted wireless networks and avoid unmanaged public channels where feasible
Disable affected wireless functionality on devices that do not require it until patches are available
Deploy wireless intrusion detection to identify malformed frames and localized denial-of-service attempts

bash

# Configuration example
# Refer to OEM firmware update procedures; no vendor-published configuration workaround is available for CVE-2026-25294.