CVE-2023-43531

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2023-43531?

CVE-2023-43531 has a CVSS score of 8.4 (HIGH). This vulnerability allows memory corruption during cryptographic key pair generation when verifying serialized headers. It affects systems using Qualcomm components that handle key generation, potentially enabling attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service. The impact is limited to devices with Qualcomm hardware/software that includes the vulnerable component.

8.4 HIGH

📋 TL;DR

This vulnerability allows memory corruption during cryptographic key pair generation when verifying serialized headers. It affects systems using Qualcomm components that handle key generation, potentially enabling attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service. The impact is limited to devices with Qualcomm hardware/software that includes the vulnerable component.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Qualcomm chipsets and associated software/firmware

Versions: Specific versions not detailed in provided references; check Qualcomm advisory for exact affected versions.

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

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Vulnerability is in Qualcomm's cryptographic implementation; exact product list requires checking Qualcomm's detailed advisory.

📦 What is this software?

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Remote code execution leading to complete system compromise, data theft, or persistent backdoor installation.

🟠

Likely Case

Application crash or denial of service affecting cryptographic operations and dependent services.

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited impact with proper memory protection mechanisms and exploit mitigations in place.

🌐 Internet-Facing: MEDIUM

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Exploitation requires triggering the vulnerable key generation process; complexity depends on memory layout and protections.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Check Qualcomm's May 2024 security bulletin for specific patched versions.

Vendor Advisory: https://docs.qualcomm.com/product/publicresources/securitybulletin/may-2024-bulletin.html

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Check Qualcomm advisory for affected chipset/software versions. 2. Apply firmware/software updates from device manufacturer or Qualcomm. 3. Reboot device to activate patches.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable vulnerable cryptographic functions

all

If possible, disable or restrict use of the affected key generation functionality in applications.

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Isolate affected systems from untrusted networks to reduce attack surface.
Implement strict access controls and monitoring for cryptographic operations.

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check device firmware/software version against Qualcomm's advisory; no simple command available.

Check Version:

Device-specific; typically 'cat /proc/version' or system settings for firmware version.

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify that applied patches match versions listed in Qualcomm's security bulletin.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Unexpected crashes or errors in cryptographic services
Memory corruption logs in system diagnostics

Network Indicators:

Anomalous traffic patterns to/from devices performing key generation

SIEM Query:

Search for events related to cryptographic process failures or memory access violations.

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2023-43531

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-824

Published: May 6, 2024

Last Updated: August 11, 2025

🔗 References

https://docs.qualcomm.com/product/publicresources/securitybulletin/may-2024-bulletin.html Vendor Advisory
https://docs.qualcomm.com/product/publicresources/securitybulletin/may-2024-bulletin.html Vendor Advisory

📋 TL;DR

💻 Affected Systems

📦 What is this software?

Ar8035 Firmware by Qualcomm

Fastconnect 6200 Firmware by Qualcomm

Fastconnect 6700 Firmware by Qualcomm

Fastconnect 6800 Firmware by Qualcomm

Fastconnect 6900 Firmware by Qualcomm

Fastconnect 7800 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qam8255p Firmware by Qualcomm

Qam8295p Firmware by Qualcomm

Qam8650p Firmware by Qualcomm

Qam8775p Firmware by Qualcomm

Qamsrv1h Firmware by Qualcomm

Qamsrv1m Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6174a Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6391 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6421 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6426 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6431 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6436 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

Qca6678aq Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6696 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6698aq Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6797aq Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca8081 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca8337 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcc710 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcm4490 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcm5430 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcm6490 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcm8550 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcn6224 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcn6274 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcs4490 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcs5430 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcs6490 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

Qep8111 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qfw7114 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qfw7124 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qru1032 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qru1052 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qru1062 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qsm8350 Firmware by Qualcomm

Sa6145p Firmware by Qualcomm

Sa6150p Firmware by Qualcomm

Sa6155p Firmware by Qualcomm

Sa7255p 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

Sa8530p Firmware by Qualcomm

Sa8540p Firmware by Qualcomm

Sa8620p Firmware by Qualcomm

Sa8650p Firmware by Qualcomm

Sa8770p Firmware by Qualcomm

Sa8775p Firmware by Qualcomm

Sa9000p Firmware by Qualcomm

Sc8380xp Firmware by Qualcomm

Sd 8 Gen1 5g Firmware by Qualcomm

Sd865 5g Firmware by Qualcomm

Sg8275p Firmware by Qualcomm

Sm7250p Firmware by Qualcomm

Sm8550p Firmware by Qualcomm