CVE-2019-10508 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE
Lack of input validation for data received from user space can lead to OOB access in WLAN in Snapdragon Auto, Snapdragon Consumer Electronics Connectivity, Snapdragon Consumer IOT, Snapdragon Industrial IOT, Snapdragon IoT, Snapdragon Mobile, Snapdragon Voice & Music, Snapdragon Wearables in MDM9150, MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9640, MDM9650, MSM8909W, MSM8996AU, QCA6174A, QCA6574AU, QCA9377, QCA9379, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 425, SD 430, SD 600, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 625, SD 632, SD 650/52, SD 820A, SDX20
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/17/2020
This vulnerability resides within the wireless local area network subsystem of Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets, specifically affecting multiple automotive and consumer connectivity platforms. The flaw manifests as insufficient input validation mechanisms that process data originating from user space environments, creating a potential pathway for out-of-bounds memory access conditions. The affected hardware platforms span across various Snapdragon product lines including automotive systems, consumer electronics connectivity modules, industrial IoT solutions, and mobile device processors, indicating a widespread impact across multiple market segments. The vulnerability impacts specific modem and wireless chipsets such as MDM9150, MDM9206, MDM9607, and numerous other models within the Snapdragon ecosystem.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the absence of proper bounds checking and validation routines when processing wireless communication data received from user space applications. When user-space processes submit wireless configuration parameters or communication data to the kernel-level WLAN subsystem, the lack of comprehensive input sanitization allows malicious or malformed data to bypass security controls. This condition creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory access patterns beyond allocated boundaries, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system instability. The vulnerability specifically affects the wireless networking stack where data validation occurs before memory operations are performed, making it particularly dangerous in environments where user applications have elevated privileges or direct access to wireless subsystems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple threat vectors and attack surfaces within the affected Snapdragon platforms. An attacker could potentially exploit this weakness to execute unauthorized code within the wireless subsystem, potentially compromising the entire device or enabling persistent backdoor access. The widespread nature of the affected chipsets means that numerous automotive systems, mobile devices, and IoT products could be vulnerable to similar attacks. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-125 Out-of-bounds Read and CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write classifications, representing memory safety issues that can lead to privilege escalation and system compromise. The attack surface includes scenarios where user applications can directly interface with wireless subsystems, particularly in automotive environments where wireless connectivity is critical for safety and functionality.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation mechanisms within the wireless subsystem drivers and kernel modules. System administrators and device manufacturers should ensure that all user-space data processing includes proper bounds checking and sanitization before being passed to kernel-level wireless components. The implementation of address space layout randomization and kernel address space protection mechanisms can help reduce exploitability of memory corruption vulnerabilities. Additionally, regular firmware updates and security patches should be deployed across all affected platforms to address the root cause of the input validation deficiency. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit user-space application privileges when interfacing with wireless subsystems, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1068 for privilege escalation and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and input validation in embedded systems, particularly in automotive and IoT environments where wireless connectivity is essential for core functionality.