CVE-2019-14101 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE
Out of bounds read can happen in diag event set mask command handler when user provided length in the command request is less than expected length in Snapdragon Auto, Snapdragon Compute, Snapdragon Connectivity, Snapdragon Consumer Electronics Connectivity, Snapdragon Consumer IOT, Snapdragon Industrial IOT, Snapdragon IoT, Snapdragon Mobile, Snapdragon Voice & Music, Snapdragon Wearables, Snapdragon Wired Infrastructure and Networking in APQ8009, APQ8096, APQ8096AU, APQ8098, Kamorta, MDM9150, MDM9205, MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9625, MDM9635M, MDM9640, MDM9650, MDM9655, MSM8905, MSM8909, MSM8909W, MSM8917, MSM8920, MSM8937, MSM8940, MSM8953, MSM8996, MSM8996AU, MSM8998, Nicobar, QCM2150, QCN7605, QCS404, QCS405, QCS605, QM215, Rennell, SA415M, Saipan, SC7180, SC8180X, SDA660, SDA845, SDM429, SDM429W, SDM439, SDM450, SDM630, SDM632, SDM636, SDM660, SDM670, SDM710, SDM845, SDM850, SDX24, SDX55, SM6150, SM7150, SM8150, SXR1130
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/06/2020
This out of bounds read vulnerability exists in the diag event set mask command handler within various Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets, affecting a wide range of automotive, mobile, and IoT devices. The flaw occurs when a user-provided length parameter in the command request is smaller than the expected length required for proper processing. This discrepancy creates a condition where the system attempts to read memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, potentially exposing sensitive data or causing system instability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the diagnostic event handling subsystem. When processing the set mask command, the system fails to properly verify that the provided data length matches the expected format and size requirements. This validation gap allows malicious actors to craft specially crafted diagnostic commands that trigger the out of bounds memory read condition. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects multiple generations of Snapdragon processors across different product lines, indicating a systemic issue in the diagnostic command handling architecture.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant security implications for the affected devices. The out of bounds read could potentially expose sensitive system information, including kernel memory contents, configuration data, or other confidential information stored in adjacent memory regions. Attackers could leverage this weakness to gain insights into the target system's internal state, potentially facilitating more sophisticated attacks or bypassing security mechanisms. The widespread impact across multiple chipset variants suggests that this vulnerability could affect numerous connected devices in automotive, industrial, and consumer environments, creating a substantial attack surface.
The vulnerability maps to CWE-125 Out of Bounds Read, which is classified under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework as a fundamental memory safety issue. This weakness represents a critical category of vulnerabilities that can lead to information disclosure, system crashes, or potentially arbitrary code execution depending on the specific memory locations accessed. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a memory corruption vulnerability that could be exploited during initial access or privilege escalation phases of an attack campaign.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation mechanisms within the diag event command handler. System designers should enforce strict parameter validation to ensure that user-provided length values match expected formats and sizes before any memory operations are performed. Additionally, implementing bounds checking and memory protection mechanisms can help prevent unauthorized access to memory regions beyond the intended boundaries. Device manufacturers should prioritize updating affected firmware versions and implementing runtime protections to minimize the risk of exploitation. Regular security audits of diagnostic subsystems and input validation routines should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across the product portfolio.