CVE-2019-10591 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE
Null pointer dereference can happen when parsing udta atom which is non-standard and having invalid depth in Snapdragon Auto, Snapdragon Compute, Snapdragon Connectivity, Snapdragon Consumer IOT, Snapdragon Industrial IOT, Snapdragon IoT, Snapdragon Mobile, Snapdragon Voice & Music, Snapdragon Wearables in APQ8009, APQ8017, APQ8053, APQ8096AU, APQ8098, MDM9206, MDM9207C, MDM9607, MSM8905, MSM8909W, MSM8917, MSM8939, MSM8953, MSM8996, MSM8996AU, MSM8998, Nicobar, QCS405, QCS605, QM215, Rennell, SA6155P, Saipan, SDA660, SDA845, SDM429, SDM429W, SDM439, SDM450, SDM630, SDM632, SDM636, SDM660, SDM670, SDM710, SDM845, SDX20, SM6150, SM7150, SM8150, SM8250, SXR1130, SXR2130
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/06/2020
This vulnerability represents a critical null pointer dereference condition that occurs during the parsing of udta atoms within multimedia file structures. The flaw specifically manifests when processing non-standard udta atoms that contain invalid depth values, creating a scenario where the application attempts to access a null memory reference during media file processing. The vulnerability affects a wide range of Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets spanning multiple product categories including automotive, mobile, connectivity, and IoT devices. The issue stems from inadequate input validation during the parsing of udta atoms, which are typically part of the mp4 container format used for multimedia content. When the parser encounters an udta atom with malformed depth parameters, it fails to properly validate the atom structure before attempting to dereference pointers, leading to potential system crashes or arbitrary code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-476, which describes null pointer dereference conditions in software systems. This weakness occurs because the media parsing routine does not perform proper validation of atom depth fields before attempting to access associated memory structures. The operational impact is significant as it affects multiple Snapdragon chipset variants across different device categories, including automotive systems, mobile phones, and IoT devices. Attackers could potentially exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious media files with specially crafted udta atoms containing invalid depth values. The attack surface extends across the entire Qualcomm ecosystem where these chipsets are deployed, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous given the widespread adoption of Snapdragon processors in consumer and industrial devices. The vulnerability could enable remote code execution or denial of service conditions depending on the execution context and the specific device implementation.
The exploitation of this vulnerability follows patterns consistent with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves the use of malicious files to gain system access. The attack requires the victim to process a specially crafted media file that contains the malformed udta atom structure. The vulnerability's impact varies based on the device type and the specific implementation of the media parser within the Snapdragon chipset. In automotive applications, this could lead to critical system failures affecting vehicle functionality, while in mobile devices it could result in application crashes or complete device compromise. The affected hardware platforms span multiple generations of Snapdragon processors, from older models like the APQ8009 to newer flagship chipsets such as the SDM845 and SDX20. Organizations should prioritize patching affected devices and implementing media file validation controls. The mitigation strategy should include firmware updates from device manufacturers, implementation of input validation controls, and deployment of network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. Additionally, security teams should consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for media processing to contain potential exploitation attempts and reduce the attack surface for this particular vulnerability.