Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2021-35086 is a Qualcomm Snapdragon vulnerability that can cause availability impact when certain 5G NR system information messages are processed incorrectly. The public record describes a possible buffer over-read from improper SIB type validation. It affects multiple Snapdragon product families used across mobile, auto, compute, connectivity, and industrial IoT devices.
Executive priority
Treat this as a high-priority availability risk for Qualcomm-based devices in operationally important environments. Urgency is strongest where device outage, modem instability, or connectivity disruption could affect safety, revenue, or service continuity. No supplied evidence supports emergency response for active exploitation.
Technical view
The issue is a buffer over-read in Qualcomm Snapdragon firmware/software handling of NR System Information messages. The CVSS 3.1 vector is AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H, meaning the documented impact is denial of service or availability loss, not confidentiality or integrity compromise.
Likely exposure
Exposure depends on whether deployed devices contain one of the listed Qualcomm chipsets and run affected vendor firmware. The bundle names many Snapdragon and QCA/WCN/WCD/WSA components, but does not identify specific OEM device models or firmware builds.
Exploitation context
The CVE is not listed as CISA KEV in the supplied bundle, and no provided source states active exploitation. The NR message context suggests network-reachable handling, but the sources do not describe attack setup, prerequisites, or observed abuse.
Researcher notes
The public data is concise: root cause is improper SIB type validation leading to buffer over-read during NR System Information processing. CVSS indicates availability-only impact. The bundle lacks CWE mapping, exploit details, OEM firmware ranges, and concrete remediation text beyond the Qualcomm bulletin reference.
Mitigation direction
- Check Qualcomm’s May 2022 security bulletin for vendor guidance.
- Apply OEM firmware or security updates that include Qualcomm fixes.
- Inventory devices using the listed Snapdragon and QCA/WCN/WCD/WSA components.
- Prioritize systems where connectivity loss affects safety or operations.
- Monitor OEM advisories for model-specific patch availability.
Validation and detection
- Map deployed hardware to the affected Qualcomm component list.
- Confirm current firmware includes fixes from the May 2022 Qualcomm bulletin.
- Check mobile, auto, IoT, and connectivity fleets separately.
- Document unpatchable devices and compensating operational controls.
- Track OEM patch status for each affected product line.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CVE-2021-35086 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 7.5 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H3.93.6Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
7.5HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://www.qualcomm.com/company/product-security/bulletins/may-2022-bulletinCVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.