CVE-2019-10574 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE
Lack of boundary checks for data offsets received from HLOS can lead to out-of-bound read in Snapdragon Auto, Snapdragon Compute, Snapdragon Connectivity, Snapdragon Consumer Electronics Connectivity, Snapdragon Consumer IOT, Snapdragon Industrial IOT, Snapdragon IoT, Snapdragon Mobile, Snapdragon Voice & Music, Snapdragon Wearables, Snapdragon Wired Infrastructure and Networking in APQ8009, APQ8016, APQ8017, APQ8053, APQ8076, APQ8096, APQ8096AU, APQ8098, MDM9150, MDM9205, MDM9206, MDM9207C, MDM9607, MDM9640, MDM9650, MDM9655, MSM8905, MSM8909, MSM8909W, MSM8917, MSM8920, MSM8937, MSM8940, MSM8953, MSM8996, MSM8996AU, MSM8998, QCM2150, QCS605, QM215, Rennell, SC7180, SDA660, SDA845, SDM429, SDM429W, SDM439, SDM450, SDM630, SDM632, SDM636, SDM660, SDM670, SDM710, SDM845, SDM850, SM6150, SM7150, SM8150, SXR1130, SXR2130
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/17/2020
This vulnerability represents a critical memory safety issue affecting multiple Qualcomm Snapdragon processor architectures and system-on-chip implementations across automotive, mobile, and IoT domains. The flaw stems from insufficient validation of data offsets originating from the Hypervisor Level Operating System HLOS component, creating a pathway for out-of-bounds memory read conditions that can be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability impacts a vast ecosystem of devices including automotive infotainment systems, mobile phones, industrial IoT sensors, and wireless infrastructure equipment, making it particularly concerning for widespread deployment across multiple industry sectors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the failure to properly validate input parameters received from HLOS components that manage memory addressing operations. When processing data offsets, the system does not perform adequate boundary checks to ensure that memory access operations remain within legitimate memory boundaries. This absence of validation allows attackers to craft malicious inputs that cause the processor to read memory locations beyond intended limits, potentially exposing sensitive data, system state information, or confidential operational parameters. The vulnerability manifests in both hardware and software layers, as the HLOS components interact with the underlying processor architecture to manage memory allocation and access patterns.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-10574 extends beyond simple data exposure, as it can enable more sophisticated attack vectors including information disclosure, privilege escalation, and potentially system compromise. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to extract confidential information from memory regions containing cryptographic keys, authentication credentials, or proprietary system data. The widespread deployment of affected Snapdragon chipsets across automotive, consumer electronics, and industrial IoT devices means that exploitation could affect thousands of systems simultaneously. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which specifically addresses insufficient input validation leading to buffer overflows and out-of-bounds memory access conditions. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a memory corruption vulnerability that could enable privilege escalation and information gathering techniques.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require comprehensive firmware and software updates from device manufacturers, as the fix must address the boundary checking mechanisms within the HLOS components. System administrators should prioritize patch deployment across all affected devices, particularly those in critical infrastructure or automotive applications where security is paramount. Additional defensive measures include implementing memory protection mechanisms, monitoring for anomalous memory access patterns, and employing runtime integrity checks to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust input validation in hypervisor and operating system components, as these layers serve as critical gatekeepers for memory management operations across embedded systems. Organizations should also consider network segmentation and access controls to limit potential attack surfaces while awaiting full patch deployment across their device fleets.