CVE-2021-30317

Local image verification bypass via malformed ELF metadata

Published Feb 11, 2022 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Improper authentication in Qualcomm Snapdragon kernels allows local users to bypass ELF image verification with crafted program-header metadata. The kernel image loader accepts program headers without adequately validating embedded ELF metadata before treating the image as verified. Local access is required, but no privileges or user interaction are required; Qualcomm has not disclosed the downstream actions available to an accepted image.

CVSS severity9.3
Critical
EPSS probability1.39%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper authentication in Qualcomm Snapdragon kernels allows local users to bypass ELF image verification with crafted program-header metadata. The kernel image loader accepts program headers without adequately validating embedded ELF metadata before treating the image as verified. Local access is required, but no privileges or user interaction are required; Qualcomm has not disclosed the downstream actions available to an accepted image.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-30317
Published
Feb 11, 2022
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-287, T1553.002
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Feb 11, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 3, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

7.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
9.3Qualcomm, Inc.CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.2NIST NVDAV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-287Improper Authentication
T1553.002Subvert Trust Controls: Code Signing

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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