CVE-2019-10575 in Snapdragon Compute
Summary
by MITRE
Wlan binary which is not signed with OEMs RoT is working on secure device without authentication failure in Snapdragon Compute, Snapdragon Consumer IOT, Snapdragon Industrial IOT, Snapdragon Mobile in SDA845, SDM845, SDM850
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/17/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-10575 represents a critical security flaw in Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset implementations that affects multiple device categories including mobile, consumer IoT, and industrial IoT platforms. This weakness stems from insufficient authentication mechanisms within the wireless local area network subsystem, specifically concerning the wlan binary component that operates on secure devices without proper verification against the original equipment manufacturer's root of trust. The vulnerability impacts devices utilizing SDA845, SDM845, and SDM850 chipsets, which are widely deployed in smartphones, tablets, and various IoT devices.
The technical flaw manifests when a wlan binary that lacks proper OEM signing verification operates successfully on secure hardware platforms. This occurs because the system fails to enforce authentication checks that should validate the binary's legitimacy against the device's root of trust mechanism. The absence of proper signature verification creates a pathway for unauthorized code execution and potentially allows attackers to bypass security controls designed to protect the device's secure execution environment. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-314, which addresses the use of insecure or unverified code in security-critical contexts, and specifically targets the integrity verification processes that should prevent unauthorized modifications to system components.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple threat vectors and attack surfaces within the affected device ecosystem. Attackers could potentially exploit this weakness to inject malicious code into the wlan subsystem, potentially leading to full device compromise or unauthorized data access. The vulnerability particularly affects devices where secure boot processes should prevent unsigned code execution but fail to properly validate wlan binaries. This creates opportunities for persistent threats to establish footholds within otherwise secure environments, potentially enabling surveillance, data exfiltration, or further escalation attacks. The weakness is particularly concerning in IoT deployments where devices may operate in unattended or remote locations, making detection and remediation more challenging.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-10575 require immediate attention from device manufacturers and system administrators. The primary remediation involves updating device firmware to versions that properly enforce OEM binary signature verification for wlan components. This includes implementing stronger authentication checks that validate all system binaries against the device's root of trust before execution. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous wlan behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining proper code integrity verification processes throughout the device lifecycle, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1064 which focuses on persistence through legitimate system binaries. Additionally, device manufacturers should enhance their secure boot implementations to ensure comprehensive verification of all components, particularly those operating in security-sensitive contexts where unauthorized code execution could compromise device integrity.