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CVE Record

CVE-2021-35120: Improper handling between export and release functions on the same handle from client can lead to use after...

Improper handling between export and release functions on the same handle from client can lead to use after free in Snapdragon Compute, Snapdragon Connectivity, Snapdragon Industrial IOT, Snapdragon Mobile

MediumCVSS 6.7Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2021-35120 is a Qualcomm Snapdragon use-after-free issue involving improper handling of export and release operations on the same client handle. It affects multiple Snapdragon mobile, compute, connectivity, and industrial IoT chipsets. The business risk is device compromise impact if an attacker already has high local privileges.

Executive priority

Treat this as a moderate hardware-platform supply-chain issue. It is not described as actively exploited, but affected device fleets may depend on OEM firmware availability, creating operational tracking and lifecycle risk.

Technical view

The CVSS 3.1 vector is 6.7: local attack, low complexity, high privileges, no user interaction, unchanged scope, and high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact. The source bundle does not provide CWE, subsystem detail, exploit method, or patch identifiers.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely in mobile, embedded, industrial IoT, compute, or connectivity products using the listed Qualcomm parts. Asset owners need BOM, chipset, and OEM firmware mapping to confirm affected devices.

Exploitation context

The bundle does not indicate CISA KEV listing or active exploitation. The vulnerability is not remotely exploitable under the listed CVSS vector and requires high local privileges, but impact is high if reached.

Researcher notes

Evidence is limited to the CVE description, CVSS data, affected chipset list, and Qualcomm bulletin reference. The bundle does not name a CWE, vulnerable driver, fixed build, proof of exploitation, or precise validation artifact.

Mitigation direction

  • Review Qualcomm's June 2022 Product Security Bulletin for vendor guidance.
  • Check OEM firmware or security advisories for affected device models.
  • Prioritize updates for exposed or high-value mobile and IoT fleets.
  • Restrict local privileged access on affected devices where practical.
  • Track unsupported devices for replacement or compensating controls.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory devices using the listed Qualcomm chipsets.
  • Map device models to OEM firmware versions and advisory status.
  • Confirm whether Qualcomm or OEM guidance applies to each model.
  • Verify deployed firmware includes the relevant vendor security update.
  • Document exceptions where OEM guidance is unavailable.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
3

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

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.

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CVE-2021-35120 mapping review

Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Medium
CVSS
6.7 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

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

Official CVE source material

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.

1CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
2Source links

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We 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.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
6.7CVSS 3.1MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H0.85.9Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

6.7Medium
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2021-35120Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

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

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
Qualcomm, Inc.Snapdragon Compute, Snapdragon Connectivity, Snapdragon Industrial IOT, Snapdragon MobileAPQ8053, MSM8953, QCA6390, QCA6391, QCA6426, QCA6436, QCM2290, QCM4290, QCS2290, QCS4290, QRB5165, QRB5165M, QRB5165N, SD460, SD662, SD680, SD690 5G, SD750G, SD765, SD765G, SD768G, SD865 5G, SD870, SDX55M, SDXR2 5G, SM7250P, WCD9326, WCD9370, WCD9375, WCD9380, WCD9385, WCN3615, WCN3680B, WCN3910, WCN3950, WCN3988, WCN3991, WCN3998, WCN6850, WCN6851, WSA8810, WSA8815, WSA8830, WSA8835Listed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.