CVE-2023-33113

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2023-33113?

CVE-2023-33113 has a CVSS score of 8.4 (HIGH). This vulnerability allows memory corruption when the Qualcomm resource manager sends fragmented reply messages to the host kernel. Attackers could exploit this to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service. Affects devices with Qualcomm chipsets including smartphones, IoT devices, and embedded systems.

8.4 HIGH

📋 TL;DR

This vulnerability allows memory corruption when the Qualcomm resource manager sends fragmented reply messages to the host kernel. Attackers could exploit this to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service. Affects devices with Qualcomm chipsets including smartphones, IoT devices, and embedded systems.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Qualcomm chipsets with resource manager functionality

Versions: Specific versions not publicly detailed in advisory

Operating Systems: Android, Linux-based systems using Qualcomm chipsets

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Affects devices with vulnerable Qualcomm firmware/kernel drivers. Exact product list requires checking Qualcomm's security bulletin.

📦 What is this software?

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Remote code execution with kernel privileges leading to complete device compromise, data theft, or persistent backdoor installation.

🟠

Likely Case

Local privilege escalation from user to kernel space, allowing attackers to bypass security controls and gain elevated access.

🟢

If Mitigated

Denial of service causing device instability or crashes if exploitation attempts fail or are partially successful.

🌐 Internet-Facing: MEDIUM - Requires local access or adjacent network position, but could be chained with other vulnerabilities for remote exploitation.

🏢 Internal Only: HIGH - Local attackers or malicious apps could exploit this for privilege escalation on affected devices.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Requires local access or ability to interact with resource manager interface. Memory corruption vulnerabilities often lead to reliable exploitation.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Refer to Qualcomm January 2024 security bulletin for specific patched versions

Vendor Advisory: https://www.qualcomm.com/company/product-security/bulletins/january-2024-bulletin

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Check Qualcomm security bulletin for your chipset model. 2. Obtain firmware/kernel patches from device manufacturer. 3. Apply updates following manufacturer instructions. 4. Reboot device to activate fixes.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Restrict local access

all

Limit physical and network access to vulnerable devices to reduce attack surface

Application sandboxing

android

Enforce strict app permissions and sandboxing to prevent malicious apps from reaching kernel interfaces

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Isolate affected devices on separate network segments
Implement strict access controls and monitor for unusual kernel activity

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check device firmware/kernel version against Qualcomm's patched versions in January 2024 bulletin

Check Version:

Device-specific commands vary by manufacturer (e.g., 'getprop ro.build.fingerprint' on Android for some devices)

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify firmware/kernel version matches or exceeds patched versions listed in Qualcomm advisory

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Kernel panic logs
Resource manager abnormal activity
Memory corruption error messages

Network Indicators:

Unusual inter-process communication patterns
Suspicious local service interactions

SIEM Query:

Search for kernel panic events OR resource manager service crashes OR memory access violation logs

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2023-33113

CVSS v3 Score: 8.4 (HIGH)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CWE: CWE-120

Published: January 2, 2024

Last Updated: August 11, 2025

🔗 References

https://www.qualcomm.com/company/product-security/bulletins/january-2024-bulletin Vendor Advisory
https://www.qualcomm.com/company/product-security/bulletins/january-2024-bulletin Vendor Advisory

📋 TL;DR

💻 Affected Systems

📦 What is this software?

Ar8035 Firmware by Qualcomm

Csra6620 Firmware by Qualcomm

Csra6640 Firmware by Qualcomm

Fastconnect 6200 Firmware by Qualcomm

Fastconnect 6700 Firmware by Qualcomm

Fastconnect 6900 Firmware by Qualcomm

Fastconnect 7800 Firmware by Qualcomm

Flight Rb5 5g Platform Firmware by Qualcomm

Mdm9650 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qam8255p Firmware by Qualcomm

Qam8295p Firmware by Qualcomm

Qam8650p Firmware by Qualcomm

Qam8775p Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6174a Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6391 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6554a Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6564au Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6574 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6574a Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6574au Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6584au Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6595 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6595au Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6696 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6698aq Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6797aq Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca8081 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca8337 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca9377 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcm4325 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcm4490 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcm6490 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcm8550 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcn6024 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcn9011 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcn9012 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcn9024 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcs410 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcs4490 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcs610 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcs6490 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcs7230 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcs8250 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcs8550 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qdu1000 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qdu1010 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qdu1110 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qdu1210 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qdx1010 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qdx1011 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qrb5165m Firmware by Qualcomm

Qrb5165n Firmware by Qualcomm

Qru1032 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qru1052 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qru1062 Firmware by Qualcomm

Robotics Rb5 Platform Firmware by Qualcomm

Sa4150p Firmware by Qualcomm

Sa4155p Firmware by Qualcomm

Sa6145p Firmware by Qualcomm

Sa6150p Firmware by Qualcomm

Sa6155p Firmware by Qualcomm

Sa8145p Firmware by Qualcomm

Sa8150p Firmware by Qualcomm

Sa8155p Firmware by Qualcomm

Sa8195p Firmware by Qualcomm

Sa8255p Firmware by Qualcomm

Sa8295p Firmware by Qualcomm

Sd 8 Gen1 5g Firmware by Qualcomm

Sd888 Firmware by Qualcomm

Sg8275p Firmware by Qualcomm

Sm7315 Firmware by Qualcomm

Sm7325p Firmware by Qualcomm

Sm8550p Firmware by Qualcomm

Smart Audio 400 Platform Firmware by Qualcomm

Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 Mobile Platform Firmware by Qualcomm

Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 Mobile Platform Firmware by Qualcomm

Snapdragon 480 5g Mobile Platform Firmware by Qualcomm