CVE-2023-33074: Qualcomm Snapdragon · Use After Free
Affects Qualcomm SnapdragonSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 8.4 High.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 14:05 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 3% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 7 Nov 2023
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponised: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 26 Oct 2026.
What to do
AI-suggested
Mitigation of CVE-2023-33074 requires coordinated efforts between device manufacturers, software vendors, and end users. Specific recommendations include: 1) Promptly apply firmware and software updates provided by device OEMs and Qualcomm that address this vulnerability; 2) Monitor vendor advisories and security bulletins for patches related to affected Snapdragon platforms; 3) Implement strict application whitelisting and privilege restrictions to limit local access that could trigger SSR events maliciously; 4) Employ runtime protections such as memory corruption mitigations (e.g., ASLR, DEP) where supported by the device; 5) For enterprise deployments, restrict physical and network access to devices to reduce risk of local exploitation; 6) Conduct security audits and penetration testing focusing on audio subsystem interactions and SSR event handling; 7) Educate users about risks of installing untrusted applications that could exploit local vulnerabilities; 8) Utilize endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools to identify anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. Since no public exploits are known yet, proactive patching and access control are critical to prevent future attacks.
Description
CVE-2023-33074 is a high-severity use-after-free vulnerability in Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets affecting audio components when a subsystem restart (SSR) event occurs after music playback stops. It can lead to memory corruption, potentially allowing an attacker to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service without requiring user interaction or privileges. The vulnerability impacts a wide range of Snapdragon platforms, including mobile, wearable, and XR devices. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild. European organizations using devices with affected Snapdragon chipsets, especially in critical communication or IoT infrastructure, could face confidentiality, integrity, and availability risks. Mitigation requires timely firmware and software updates from device manufacturers and careful monitoring of SSR event handling. Countries with high smartphone and IoT adoption, such as Germany, France, and the UK, are most likely to be affected due to market penetration and strategic importance. Given the ease of exploitation and broad impact, this vulnerability is rated as high severity.