CVE-2019-10588 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE
Copying RTCP messages into the output buffer without checking the destination buffer size which could lead to a remote stack overflow. in Snapdragon Auto, Snapdragon Compute, Snapdragon Consumer IOT, Snapdragon Industrial IOT, Snapdragon IoT, Snapdragon Mobile, Snapdragon Voice & Music, Snapdragon Wearables in APQ8009, APQ8017, APQ8053, APQ8076, APQ8096, APQ8096AU, APQ8098, MDM9150, MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9615, MDM9625, MDM9635M, MDM9640, MDM9645, MDM9650, MDM9655, MSM8905, MSM8909, MSM8909W, MSM8917, MSM8920, MSM8937, MSM8940, MSM8953, MSM8996AU, MSM8998, QCM2150, QCS605, QM215, Rennell, SC7180, SC8180X, SDA660, SDA845, SDM429, SDM429W, SDM439, SDM450, SDM630, SDM632, SDM636, SDM660, SDM670, SDM710, SDM845, SDM850, SDX20, SDX24, SDX55, SM6150, SM7150, SM8150, SXR1130
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/17/2020
This vulnerability represents a classic buffer overflow condition that occurs during the processing of Real-Time Control Protocol messages within Qualcomm's Snapdragon automotive and mobile platform implementations. The flaw exists in the network stack handling mechanism where RTCP packets are copied directly into output buffers without proper validation of the destination buffer capacity. This fundamental design oversight creates a remote exploitation vector that could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected devices. The vulnerability affects a vast ecosystem of Qualcomm chipsets spanning automotive applications, consumer IoT devices, industrial IoT solutions, mobile platforms, voice and music processing units, and wearable technology products.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the RTCP message handling subsystem. When RTCP messages are received and processed, the system performs no bounds checking before copying data into pre-allocated output buffers. This allows an attacker to craft malicious RTCP packets that exceed the allocated buffer size, resulting in memory corruption that can be exploited to overwrite adjacent stack memory locations. The flaw operates at the application layer protocol processing level and leverages the inherent trust placed in network communication protocols within embedded systems. According to CWE-121, this represents a classic stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability where insufficient bounds checking enables memory corruption through improper handling of user-supplied data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple security domains and affects numerous device types that rely on Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors. Attackers could potentially exploit this vulnerability remotely through network-based attacks targeting devices that process RTCP messages, such as VoIP endpoints, video conferencing systems, and automotive infotainment platforms. The exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, allowing attackers to execute malicious code with the privileges of the affected process. This vulnerability particularly impacts automotive systems where real-time communication protocols are critical for vehicle operation, and IoT devices where remote code execution could provide persistent access to networked systems. The attack surface is significantly amplified by the widespread adoption of these chipsets across multiple device categories and manufacturers.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on both immediate defensive measures and long-term architectural improvements. Device manufacturers should implement input validation patches that check buffer sizes before copying RTCP messages, ensuring that data lengths do not exceed allocated buffer capacities. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be deployed to limit exposure to untrusted network traffic, particularly in automotive and industrial environments where such systems may be exposed to external networks. Regular firmware updates and security patches should be prioritized across all affected platforms, with particular attention to automotive systems where safety-critical operations may be at risk. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify anomalous RTCP traffic patterns indicative of exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1203 for exploitation for privilege escalation, making comprehensive network monitoring essential for early detection of potential exploitation activities.