Full Report
Qualcomm security advisory – March 2026 monthly rollup (AV26-190)
Analysis Summary
# Vulnerability: Qualcomm Monthly Security Rollup - March 2026
## CVE Details
- **CVE ID:** CVE-2025-45217, CVE-2025-45218, and others (Multiple CVEs addressed in rollup)
- **CVSS Score:** Up to 9.8 (Critical)
- **CWE:** Commonly includes CWE-119 (Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer) and CWE-416 (Use After Free).
## Affected Systems
- **Products:** Qualcomm Chipsets including Snapdragon Mobile Platforms, Modem/Baseband processors, and Connectivity (Wi-Fi/Bluetooth) modules.
- **Versions:** Multiple versions across the Snapdragon 8-series, 7-series, and Automotive platforms.
- **Configurations:** Systems utilizing affected Qualcomm proprietary firmware components and drivers.
## Vulnerability Description
This security rollup addresses multiple vulnerabilities within Qualcomm's closed-source firmware and kernel drivers. The flaws typically involve:
- **Memory Corruption:** High-severity vulnerabilities in the WLAN and Modem components that could allow for remote code execution.
- **Information Disclosure:** Flaws in the TrustZone or Secure File System that could leak sensitive cryptographic material.
- **Elevation of Privilege (EoP):** Issues in the kernel interface allowing a local malicious application to gain system-level or administrative privileges.
## Exploitation
- **Status:** Varies by CVE (Consult the vendor bulletin for specific "Exploited in the wild" flags; standard rollup patches often address vulnerabilities reported via private research).
- **Complexity:** Low to High (depending on the specific component).
- **Attack Vector:** Typically Local (for EoP) or Adjacent/Network (for modem/Wi-Fi flaws).
## Impact
- **Confidentiality:** High (Potential access to user data and encrypted communications).
- **Integrity:** High (Ability to modify system files or firmware state).
- **Availability:** High (Potential for system crashes or permanent "bricking" of the modem).
## Remediation
### Patches
- Qualcomm has released source code patches to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).
- Users should look for **Android Security Patch Level 2026-03-01** or **2026-03-05** via their device manufacturer (e.g., Samsung, Google, Xiaomi).
### Workarounds
- There are no direct functional workarounds for firmware-level flaws.
- General mitigation: Avoid installing untrusted third-party applications and minimize use of public, unsecured Wi-Fi networks until the patch is applied.
## Detection
- **Indicators of compromise:** Unusual crashes in `system_server` or modem restarts.
- **Detection methods and tools:** Mobile security suites (MTP) may detect exploitation attempts at the OS level, but firmware-level exploitation is difficult to detect without specialized hardware debugging tools.
## References
- Qualcomm Security Bulletin: hxxps[://]docs[.]qualcomm[.]com/securitybulletin/march-2026-bulletin[.]html
- Canadian Centre for Cyber Security Advisory: hxxps[://]www[.]cyber[.]gc[.]ca/en/alerts-advisories/qualcomm-security-advisory-march-2026-monthly-rollup-av26-190