CVE-2025-21480 Qualcomm Multiple Chipsets: login or permission bypass
In plain words: A door that should be locked is not: part of the system can be reached without a valid login or permission. The attacker gets in as a user or administrator without knowing a password.
Confirmed exploited by CISA on · US federal patch deadline Jun 24, 2025
What to do
- Install Qualcomm's security update for Multiple Chipsets. If no update exists, follow the vendor's workaround or stop using the product until one ships.
- Install system updates the day they come out — most phone zero-days are fixed in a point release.
- Restart your phone every few days; some spyware does not survive a reboot.
- If you are a journalist, activist, lawyer, politician or executive, turn on Lockdown Mode (iPhone) or Advanced Protection (Android).
Who is affected
Could reach you. This one is aimed at devices or apps of the kind people own.
What's at risk: Messages, photos, location, microphone and camera. The most serious ones are "zero-click": no tap needed from the owner. They are usually used as spyware against a small number of chosen people.
The details
- Official name
- Qualcomm Multiple Chipsets Incorrect Authorization Vulnerability
- Product
- Qualcomm Multiple Chipsets
- CISA description
- Multiple Qualcomm chipsets contain an incorrect authorization vulnerability. This vulnerability allows for memory corruption due to unauthorized command execution in GPU micronode while executing specific sequence of commands.
- Type of flaw
- Login or permission bypass (CWE-863)
- Confirmed exploited
- Jun 3, 2025
- US federal patch deadline
- Jun 24, 2025
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Answering about CVE-2025-21480 ·
Questions about CVE-2025-21480
Is CVE-2025-21480 being exploited?
Yes. CISA added CVE-2025-21480 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on Jun 3, 2025, which means there is reliable evidence of real-world attacks.
How do I fix CVE-2025-21480?
Install Qualcomm's security update for Multiple Chipsets. If no update exists, follow the vendor's workaround or stop using the product until one ships. Install system updates the day they come out — most phone zero-days are fixed in a point release.
Am I affected by CVE-2025-21480?
Only if you use Qualcomm Multiple Chipsets. This one is aimed at devices or apps of the kind people own.