CVE-2019-10589 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE
Lack of length check of response buffer can lead to buffer over-flow while GP command response buffer handling in Snapdragon Auto, Snapdragon Compute, Snapdragon Connectivity, Snapdragon Consumer IOT, Snapdragon Industrial IOT, Snapdragon Mobile, Snapdragon Voice & Music, Snapdragon Wired Infrastructure and Networking in APQ8017, APQ8053, APQ8098, MDM9206, MDM9607, MSM8917, MSM8920, MSM8937, MSM8940, MSM8953, MSM8998, QM215, SDA660, SDM429, SDM439, SDM450, SDM630, SDM632, SDM636, SDM660
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/17/2020
This vulnerability represents a critical buffer overflow condition that exists within the Generic Protocol (GP) command response handling mechanisms of multiple Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets. The flaw stems from insufficient validation of response buffer lengths during command processing, creating a scenario where maliciously crafted commands could cause memory corruption. The vulnerability affects a wide range of Snapdragon automotive, mobile, and industrial processors including the APQ8017, APQ8053, APQ8098, MDM9206, MDM9607, MSM8917, MSM8920, MSM8937, MSM8940, MSM8953, MSM8998, QM215, SDA660, SDM429, SDM439, SDM450, SDM630, SDM632, and SDM636 chipsets. The issue falls under CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script injection. The affected systems include automotive infotainment systems, mobile devices, industrial IoT deployments, and networking infrastructure components that rely on these Snapdragon processors for their core functionality.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs during the processing of GP commands where the system fails to validate the length of incoming response data before copying it into a fixed-size buffer. When a command response exceeds the allocated buffer space, the excess data overflows into adjacent memory regions, potentially corrupting critical system data structures, function return addresses, or other program state information. This buffer overflow condition can be exploited by adversaries who craft malicious GP commands that deliberately exceed buffer boundaries. The exploitation requires knowledge of the specific command structure and memory layout of the affected processors, making it a sophisticated attack vector that typically requires targeted reconnaissance and system analysis. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects automotive systems where security is paramount, potentially allowing attackers to compromise vehicle safety systems or gain unauthorized access to sensitive vehicle data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple industry sectors and deployment scenarios. Automotive systems utilizing these processors may become vulnerable to remote code execution attacks that could potentially affect vehicle safety systems, infotainment functionality, or communication modules. Mobile devices and IoT deployments face similar risks where attackers could gain persistent access to connected systems, potentially leading to data breaches, surveillance capabilities, or device compromise. The widespread adoption of these chipsets across different product lines means that the vulnerability affects a substantial portion of the connected device ecosystem. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent backdoors, escalate privileges, or execute arbitrary code on affected systems, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability's presence in both consumer and industrial deployments creates a significant risk landscape that requires immediate attention from device manufacturers and system operators.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive buffer length validation mechanisms and firmware updates across all affected Snapdragon chipsets. Device manufacturers must ensure that all GP command response handlers include proper length checks before buffer operations, implementing bounds checking and input validation at multiple levels. The recommended approach involves applying firmware patches that enforce strict buffer size limits and implement robust error handling for command processing. Additionally, system administrators should consider network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to potential attackers. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous command patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their entire device ecosystem to identify any other potential buffer overflow conditions. The mitigation efforts should align with industry standards such as ISO 26262 for automotive safety and NIST cybersecurity frameworks for industrial control systems, ensuring comprehensive protection against this and similar vulnerabilities. Regular security updates and proactive vulnerability management practices are essential to maintaining the integrity of systems utilizing these affected processors.