CVE-2019-10539 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE
Possible buffer overflow issue due to lack of length check when parsing the extended cap IE header length in Snapdragon Auto, Snapdragon Compute, Snapdragon Consumer Electronics Connectivity, Snapdragon Consumer IOT, Snapdragon Industrial IOT, Snapdragon Mobile, Snapdragon Voice & Music, Snapdragon Wired Infrastructure and Networking in IPQ8074, MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9640, MDM9650, MSM8996AU, QCA6174A, QCA6574, QCA6574AU, QCA6584, QCA8081, QCA9379, QCS404, QCS405, QCS605, Qualcomm 215, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 425, SD 427, SD 430, SD 435, SD 439 / SD 429, SD 450, SD 625, SD 632, SD 636, SD 665, SD 675, SD 712 / SD 710 / SD 670, SD 730, SD 820, SD 820A, SD 835, SD 845 / SD 850, SD 855, SD 8CX, SDA660, SDM439, SDM630, SDM660, SDX20, SDX24, SXR1130
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/17/2020
This vulnerability represents a critical buffer overflow condition that occurs when processing extended capability information element headers within wireless communication protocols. The flaw stems from inadequate length validation during parsing operations, specifically affecting Qualcomm's extensive portfolio of mobile and networking chipsets. The vulnerability manifests when the system attempts to process incoming network frames containing extended capability IEs without first verifying that the declared header length is within acceptable bounds. This omission creates a scenario where maliciously crafted network traffic could trigger memory corruption through buffer overflows. The affected devices span multiple product lines including automotive systems, consumer electronics, industrial IoT applications, and mobile platforms, indicating a widespread impact across Qualcomm's ecosystem. According to CWE classification, this corresponds to CWE-121, which deals with stack-based buffer overflow conditions, while the ATT&CK framework would categorize this under T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and potentially T1203 for exploitation for privilege escalation. The vulnerability exists in hardware-level firmware components that handle wireless protocol parsing, making it particularly concerning for embedded systems where traditional software-based mitigations may be insufficient.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft specially formatted network frames containing extended capability IEs with malformed length fields. When the affected Qualcomm chipsets process these frames, the lack of input validation allows the parsing routine to write data beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. This can result in arbitrary code execution, system crashes, or privilege escalation depending on the execution context and memory layout. The specific chipset families impacted include various generations of Snapdragon processors from entry-level to high-end mobile platforms, as well as networking solutions like IPQ8074 and MDM series modems. The buffer overflow occurs at the protocol parsing layer where network frames are decoded before being processed by higher-level applications or system services. Attackers could potentially leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious code on devices in the field, particularly in scenarios where wireless communication is active and the device is processing network traffic from untrusted sources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple threat vectors and affected device categories. Mobile devices utilizing these chipsets could be compromised through malicious wireless communications, while industrial IoT deployments using Qualcomm networking solutions face similar risks. Automotive applications using Snapdragon Auto platforms could potentially be targeted through wireless attacks, posing safety and security concerns for vehicle systems. The widespread nature of affected products means that numerous device manufacturers may be impacted, potentially affecting millions of end-user devices globally. Network infrastructure components using Qualcomm's networking chipsets could also be vulnerable to exploitation, creating potential attack vectors for disrupting connectivity or gaining unauthorized access to networked systems. The vulnerability's exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or denial of service conditions, depending on the specific implementation and attack scenario. Organizations deploying devices with these chipsets should consider the full spectrum of potential attack surfaces, including both direct device exploitation and indirect network-based attacks that could leverage the vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on firmware updates and system-level protections. Qualcomm has released security patches addressing this issue in affected firmware versions, requiring device manufacturers to update their implementations. Network administrators should implement monitoring for suspicious wireless traffic patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts, particularly around extended capability IE parsing. The implementation of input validation controls at multiple layers including network protocol handlers and application-level parsers can provide additional defense in depth. Device manufacturers should consider implementing runtime protections such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and memory protection mechanisms to reduce the exploitability of buffer overflow conditions. Organizations should also conduct vulnerability assessments to identify affected devices within their networks and prioritize remediation efforts based on risk exposure. Regular security updates and patch management programs should be implemented to ensure that all affected systems receive timely security fixes. The vulnerability highlights the importance of robust input validation in embedded systems and the need for comprehensive security testing of hardware-level components that handle network protocol parsing.