CVE-2019-14018 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE
Possible out of bound array access as there is no check on carrier index passed in Snapdragon Auto, Snapdragon Compute, Snapdragon Consumer IOT, Snapdragon Industrial IOT, Snapdragon Mobile, Snapdragon Wearables in APQ8053, APQ8096, APQ8096AU, APQ8098, MDM9150, MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9625, MDM9635M, MDM9640, MDM9645, MDM9650, MDM9655, MSM8905, MSM8909, MSM8909W, MSM8917, MSM8920, MSM8937, MSM8940, MSM8953, MSM8996AU, MSM8998, Nicobar, 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
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/17/2020
This vulnerability represents a critical out-of-bounds array access flaw that exists in multiple Qualcomm Snapdragon processor variants across various product lines including automotive, mobile, and IoT devices. The issue stems from insufficient validation of carrier index parameters passed to the affected hardware components, creating a potential pathway for malicious actors to execute unauthorized code or cause system instability. The vulnerability affects a broad range of Snapdragon chipsets including APQ8053, APQ8096, MDM9150, and numerous others listed in the CVE description, indicating a widespread exposure across Qualcomm's product portfolio. According to CWE-129, this represents an implementation flaw where insufficient input validation leads to array bounds violations, making it particularly dangerous in embedded systems where memory corruption can lead to complete system compromise.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the system processes carrier index values without proper bounds checking, allowing attackers to access memory locations beyond the allocated array boundaries. This type of flaw typically enables privilege escalation attacks where malicious code can overwrite critical system memory regions or execute arbitrary instructions in kernel space. The impact is particularly severe given that these processors power numerous mobile devices, automotive systems, and IoT appliances where the attack surface extends beyond traditional computing environments. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates opportunities for adversaries to perform code injection attacks, potentially leading to complete device compromise or data exfiltration, especially when combined with other exploitation techniques.
The operational implications extend across multiple domains including automotive infotainment systems, mobile communications devices, and industrial IoT deployments where these Snapdragon processors are commonly integrated. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, disrupt critical operations, or establish persistent backdoors within affected systems. The widespread nature of affected chipsets means that the potential attack surface spans millions of devices globally, creating significant risk for organizations that rely on Qualcomm-based hardware. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of ATT&CK technique T1059 where adversaries use command and script interpreters to gain access to systems, and T1068 which involves exploiting vulnerabilities to gain access to privileged processes.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate firmware updates from device manufacturers, implementation of input validation controls in software components, and deployment of network monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments across their device inventories to identify systems running affected Snapdragon chipsets, particularly those in critical infrastructure environments. The vulnerability requires careful attention to memory management practices and input validation mechanisms within embedded systems, emphasizing the need for robust software development practices that align with industry standards for secure coding. Given the nature of the flaw, system administrators should implement additional monitoring for anomalous memory access patterns and consider network segmentation to limit potential lateral movement if exploitation occurs.