CVE-2019-10550 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer Over-read when UE is trying to process the message received form the network without zero termination in Snapdragon Auto, Snapdragon Compute, Snapdragon Consumer IOT, Snapdragon Industrial IOT, Snapdragon Mobile, Snapdragon Wearables in MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9640, MDM9650, MSM8905, MSM8909, MSM8909W, MSM8917, MSM8920, MSM8937, MSM8940, MSM8953, MSM8996AU, Nicobar, QCM2150, QCS605, QM215, Rennell, SC8180X, SDA660, SDA845, SDM429, SDM429W, SDM439, SDM450, SDM630, SDM632, SDM636, SDM660, SDM670, SDM710, SDM845, SDM850, SDX20, SDX24, SDX55, SM6150, SM7150, SM8150, SXR1130
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/06/2020
This vulnerability represents a critical buffer over-read condition that occurs within Qualcomm's Snapdragon automotive and mobile platform ecosystems. The flaw manifests when user equipment attempts to process messages received from network infrastructure without proper zero termination, creating a scenario where memory beyond the intended buffer boundaries can be accessed and potentially read. The vulnerability affects a comprehensive range of Qualcomm chipsets including automotive platforms like MDM9206 through SDX55, consumer IoT devices such as QCM2150 and QCS605, and mobile processors from MSM8905 through SDM850. The issue stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms that fail to properly terminate string buffers before processing network messages, allowing for unauthorized memory access patterns.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of network protocol messages within the modem subsystem of these chipsets. When receiving messages from cellular networks, the processing code does not adequately validate or terminate string data structures, leading to scenarios where the processor reads memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. This over-read condition can potentially expose sensitive information stored in adjacent memory regions, including cryptographic keys, authentication tokens, or other confidential data. The vulnerability operates at the hardware-software interface level where network protocol handling routines interact with memory management systems, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited across multiple device categories from automotive systems to consumer mobile devices.
Operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple threat vectors and attack surfaces within Qualcomm's ecosystem. The vulnerability can be exploited by remote attackers who craft malicious network messages that trigger the over-read condition, potentially leading to information disclosure or system instability. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the attack tree methodology where network-based attacks can escalate to information gathering and potentially system compromise. The affected platforms span across automotive infotainment systems, mobile devices, IoT sensors, and industrial control systems, creating a broad attack surface that could impact vehicle safety systems, consumer privacy, and industrial operations. Security researchers have categorized this as a memory corruption vulnerability that could enable privilege escalation or data extraction attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require multiple layers of defense across the affected platform ecosystem. Device manufacturers should implement firmware updates that correct the buffer handling routines and ensure proper string termination before network message processing. The remediation should include input validation checks that prevent processing of messages without proper zero termination, aligning with secure coding practices recommended in the CWE-121 category for buffer overflow conditions. Network operators can also implement message filtering mechanisms to prevent malformed packets from reaching vulnerable devices, though this approach provides only partial protection. Security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis and implement memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries or address space layout randomization to reduce exploit reliability. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure boot processes and runtime integrity checking to prevent exploitation of such low-level memory corruption conditions.
The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper memory management in embedded systems and mobile platforms where network communication interfaces are exposed to untrusted external sources. It reflects the challenges faced in securing complex SoC architectures where multiple subsystems must interact while maintaining security boundaries. The widespread impact across different chipset families indicates that this represents a systemic issue in Qualcomm's modem processing implementations rather than isolated component failures. Organizations should prioritize patch management for affected devices and implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability may trigger requirements under automotive safety standards like ISO 26262 and cybersecurity frameworks such as NIST CSF where memory safety is a critical concern. The vulnerability also underscores the need for comprehensive threat modeling that considers both software and hardware security aspects in mobile and automotive platforms.