CVE-2017-17773 in Snapdragon Automobile
Summary
by MITRE
In Snapdragon Automobile, Snapdragon Wearable and Snapdragon Mobile MDM9206,MDM9607,MDM9650,SD 210/SD 212/SD 205,SD 400,SD 410/12,SD 425,SD 430,SD 450,SD 600,SD 602A,SD 615/16/SD 415,SD 617,SD 625,SD 650/52,SD 800,SD 808,SD 810,SD 820,SD 820Am,SD 835,SD 845,MSM8909W, improper input validation in video_fmt_mp4r_process_atom_avc1() causes a potential buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/03/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-17773 represents a critical buffer overflow condition affecting multiple Qualcomm Snapdragon automotive, wearable, and mobile platform variants. This flaw exists within the video_fmt_mp4r_process_atom_avc1() function responsible for processing video atom data structures in mp4r format containers. The issue manifests when the system processes malformed video data streams without adequate input validation, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory structures through carefully crafted malicious content. The affected platforms span numerous generations of Qualcomm's mobile and automotive processors including MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9650, SD 210/212/205, SD 400, SD 410/12, SD 425, SD 430, SD 450, SD 600, SD 602A, SD 615/16/415, SD 617, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 800, SD 808, SD 810, SD 820, SD 820Am, SD 835, SD 845, and MSM8909W processors. This widespread impact across multiple product lines indicates a fundamental flaw in the video processing pipeline that could affect automotive infotainment systems, wearable devices, and mobile platforms.
The technical execution of this vulnerability involves a classic buffer overflow scenario where insufficient bounds checking occurs during the processing of video atom structures. When the video_fmt_mp4r_process_atom_avc1() function receives malformed input data, it fails to properly validate the size parameters of the incoming video data, leading to memory corruption. This condition allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially enabling arbitrary code execution or system crashes. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a significant risk to system stability and security. The flaw operates at the firmware level within the video decoding subsystem, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through legitimate video processing operations without requiring special privileges or user interaction.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-17773 extends beyond simple system instability to potentially enable sophisticated attack vectors that could compromise automotive safety systems, wearable device functionality, and mobile platform security. In automotive environments, this vulnerability could allow attackers to manipulate infotainment systems, potentially affecting vehicle safety features or enabling unauthorized access to vehicle control systems. The attack surface includes any application or service that processes mp4 video files, particularly those that handle user-provided content. Mobile platforms could be compromised through malicious video content delivered via email, messaging applications, or web browsing activities, while wearable devices might be affected through similar attack vectors. The vulnerability's presence across multiple Qualcomm generations suggests that attackers could leverage this flaw across diverse device ecosystems, making it particularly concerning from a threat modeling perspective.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate firmware updates from device manufacturers, as Qualcomm has released patches addressing this specific buffer overflow condition. Organizations should implement network-level filtering to prevent potentially malicious video content from reaching vulnerable systems, particularly in automotive environments where infotainment systems may be exposed to untrusted content. System administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments across all affected platforms to identify devices running vulnerable firmware versions and prioritize patch deployment. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059 for command and scripting interpreter execution, as attackers could potentially use the buffer overflow to execute arbitrary code, and T1203 for exploitation for privilege escalation. Device manufacturers should also consider implementing additional input validation layers and memory protection mechanisms to prevent similar issues in future implementations, while security teams should monitor for potential exploitation attempts through threat intelligence feeds and network traffic analysis.