CVE-2019-14036 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE
Possible buffer overflow issue in error processing due to improper validation of array index value in Snapdragon Auto, Snapdragon Consumer Electronics Connectivity, Snapdragon Consumer IOT, Snapdragon Industrial IOT, Snapdragon Mobile, Snapdragon Voice & Music, Snapdragon Wired Infrastructure and Networking in APQ8064, APQ8096AU, IPQ4019, IPQ8064, IPQ8074, MDM9607, MDM9615, MDM9640, MSM8996AU, QCN7605
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/21/2020
This vulnerability represents a critical buffer overflow condition that manifests during error processing within Qualcomm Snapdragon automotive and consumer connectivity platforms. The flaw stems from insufficient validation of array index values during error handling routines, creating opportunities for malicious actors to exploit memory corruption vulnerabilities. The affected hardware platforms span multiple Qualcomm product lines including automotive systems, consumer electronics connectivity solutions, industrial IoT deployments, and mobile networking infrastructure. The vulnerability affects specific chipsets such as APQ8064, APQ8096AU, IPQ4019, IPQ8064, IPQ8074, MDM9607, MDM9615, MDM9640, MSM8996AU, and QCN7605, indicating a widespread impact across Qualcomm's embedded processor portfolio.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper bounds checking during array access operations within error processing pathways. When error conditions occur, the system attempts to access array elements using index values that have not been adequately validated against array boundaries. This allows for potential out-of-bounds memory access that can result in arbitrary code execution or system instability. The flaw operates at the intersection of memory management and error handling mechanisms, where the system's defensive measures against invalid input fail to properly sanitize array indices before use. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-129 category of Improper Validation of Array Index, which specifically addresses the failure to validate array indices against their legitimate range.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple domains including automotive safety systems, consumer electronics, industrial IoT deployments, and mobile networking infrastructure. In automotive applications, this could potentially compromise vehicle safety systems and connectivity features, while in consumer electronics it may enable unauthorized code execution on devices such as smartphones, tablets, and connected home appliances. Industrial IoT applications face similar risks where compromised devices could disrupt critical infrastructure operations. The vulnerability's presence in multiple chipset families indicates that the flaw exists at the architectural level rather than being confined to specific implementations, making the attack surface significantly broader than typical localized vulnerabilities. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell and T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution, as exploitation would likely involve crafting malicious inputs that trigger the buffer overflow during error processing.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require both immediate patching and architectural considerations. Qualcomm has released firmware and software updates addressing the specific buffer overflow conditions, though deployment may be complex across the diverse ecosystem of affected platforms. System administrators should prioritize patch management for all affected devices and implement monitoring for anomalous error processing patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust input validation and memory safety practices in embedded systems, particularly those operating in safety-critical environments. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of their deployed hardware to identify all affected devices and establish monitoring procedures for detecting potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, defensive programming practices including bounds checking, stack canaries, and address space layout randomization should be implemented as additional safeguards to reduce the impact of similar vulnerabilities that may exist in the system's error handling pathways.