CVE-2023-43536

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2023-43536?

CVE-2023-43536 has a CVSS score of 7.5 (HIGH). This vulnerability in Qualcomm components allows a denial-of-service (DoS) attack when parsing files with specific length characteristics. It affects devices using vulnerable Qualcomm chipsets, potentially causing temporary service disruption.

7.5 HIGH

Denial of Service

📋 TL;DR

This vulnerability in Qualcomm components allows a denial-of-service (DoS) attack when parsing files with specific length characteristics. It affects devices using vulnerable Qualcomm chipsets, potentially causing temporary service disruption.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Qualcomm chipsets and associated firmware

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

Operating Systems: Android, embedded systems using Qualcomm chips

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Affects systems with vulnerable Qualcomm components; exact products depend on chipset implementation.

📦 What is this software?

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Complete system crash requiring reboot, disrupting device functionality and availability.

🟠

Likely Case

Temporary service interruption or application crash affecting specific functionality.

🟢

If Mitigated

Minimal impact with proper input validation and error handling in place.

🌐 Internet-Facing: MEDIUM - Could be exploited remotely if vulnerable service is exposed, but requires specific conditions.

🏢 Internal Only: LOW - Typically requires local access or specific application interaction.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Exploitation requires specific file parsing conditions; no public exploit code identified.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Check Qualcomm February 2024 security bulletin for specific patched versions

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

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Check Qualcomm advisory for affected chipset versions. 2. Apply firmware/software updates from device manufacturer. 3. Reboot device after update.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Input validation enhancement

all

Implement additional file length validation in parsing routines

Service isolation

all

Restrict access to vulnerable parsing services

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement network segmentation to limit exposure
Monitor for abnormal parsing behavior and crashes

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check device firmware version against Qualcomm's affected versions list

Check Version:

Device-specific; typically 'getprop ro.build.fingerprint' on Android or manufacturer-specific commands

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify firmware version matches patched version from Qualcomm advisory

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Unexpected process crashes
File parsing errors with length=1 files
System reboot events

Network Indicators:

Unusual file transfer patterns to parsing services

SIEM Query:

search 'process_crash' AND 'file_parser' OR search 'system_reboot' AND 'unexpected'

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2023-43536

CVSS v3 Score: 7.5 (HIGH)

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

CWE: CWE-126

Published: February 6, 2024

Last Updated: August 11, 2025

🔗 References

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

📋 TL;DR

💻 Affected Systems

📦 What is this software?

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Ar8035 Firmware by Qualcomm

Ar9380 Firmware by Qualcomm

Csr8811 Firmware by Qualcomm

Csra6620 Firmware by Qualcomm

Csra6640 Firmware by Qualcomm

Csrb31024 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

Flight Rb5 5g Platform Firmware by Qualcomm

Immersive Home 214 Platform Firmware by Qualcomm

Immersive Home 216 Platform Firmware by Qualcomm

Immersive Home 316 Platform Firmware by Qualcomm

Immersive Home 318 Platform Firmware by Qualcomm

Immersive Home 3210 Platform Firmware by Qualcomm

Immersive Home 326 Platform Firmware by Qualcomm

Ipq4018 Firmware by Qualcomm

Ipq4028 Firmware by Qualcomm

Ipq4029 Firmware by Qualcomm

Ipq5010 Firmware by Qualcomm

Ipq5302 Firmware by Qualcomm

Ipq5312 Firmware by Qualcomm

Ipq5332 Firmware by Qualcomm

Ipq6010 Firmware by Qualcomm

Ipq6018 Firmware by Qualcomm

Ipq6028 Firmware by Qualcomm

Ipq8064 Firmware by Qualcomm

Ipq8069 Firmware by Qualcomm

Ipq8070 Firmware by Qualcomm

Ipq8070a Firmware by Qualcomm

Ipq8071 Firmware by Qualcomm

Ipq8072 Firmware by Qualcomm

Ipq8072a Firmware by Qualcomm

Ipq8074 Firmware by Qualcomm

Ipq8074a Firmware by Qualcomm

Ipq8076a Firmware by Qualcomm

Ipq8078 Firmware by Qualcomm

Ipq8078a Firmware by Qualcomm

Ipq8174 Firmware by Qualcomm

Ipq9554 Firmware by Qualcomm

Ipq9570 Firmware by Qualcomm

Ipq9574 Firmware by Qualcomm

Pmp8074 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

Qca1062 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca1064 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca2062 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca2064 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca2065 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca2066 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca4024 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6174a Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6310 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6335 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6391 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6420 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6421 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6426 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6428 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6430 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6431 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6436 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6438 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6554a Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6564au Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6574 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6574a Firmware by Qualcomm