CVE-2019-14114 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in WLAN firmware while parsing GTK IE containing GTK key having length more than the buffer size 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 Wired Infrastructure and Networking in APQ8009, APQ8017, APQ8053, APQ8064, APQ8096AU, APQ8098, IPQ6018, IPQ8074, MDM9206, MDM9207C, MDM9607, MDM9640, MDM9650, MSM8996AU, MSM8998, Nicobar, QCA4531, QCA6174A, QCA6564, QCA6574, QCA6574AU, QCA6584, QCA6584AU, QCA8081, QCA9377, QCA9379, QCA9886, QCN7605, QCS404, QCS405, QCS605, Rennell, SA6155P, SC7180, SC8180X, SDA660, SDA845, SDM630, SDM636, SDM660, SDM670, SDM710, SDM845, SDM850, SDX20, SDX24, SM6150, SM7150, SM8150, SXR1130, SXR2130
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/17/2020
This buffer overflow vulnerability exists in the wireless local area network firmware of Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets across multiple product lines including automotive, mobile, and networking devices. The flaw occurs during the parsing of GTK IE (Group Key Information Element) within wireless network management frames when the GTK key length exceeds the allocated buffer size. This represents a classic buffer overflow condition that can be exploited by malicious actors to execute arbitrary code or cause system instability. The vulnerability affects a wide range of Qualcomm chipsets including APQ8009, APQ8017, APQ8053, APQ8064, APQ8096AU, APQ8098, IPQ6018, IPQ8074, MDM9206, MDM9207C, MDM9607, MDM9640, MDM9650, MSM8996AU, MSM8998, Nicobar, QCA4531, QCA6174A, QCA6564, QCA6574, QCA6574AU, QCA6584, QCA6584AU, QCA8081, QCA9377, QCA9379, QCA9886, QCN7605, QCS404, QCS405, QCS605, Rennell, SA6155P, SC7180, SC8180X, SDA660, SDA845, SDM630, SDM636, SDM660, SDM670, SDM710, SDM845, SDM850, SDX20, SDX24, SM6150, SM7150, SM8150, SXR1130, and SXR2130. The vulnerability maps to CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is a well-documented weakness in software development where data written to a buffer exceeds the buffer's allocated size, potentially overwriting adjacent memory locations. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in embedded systems and wireless networking equipment where the firmware operates with elevated privileges and can directly control hardware components.
The operational impact of this buffer overflow vulnerability extends across multiple security domains and affects devices used in critical infrastructure, automotive systems, and consumer electronics. Attackers can potentially exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious wireless network management frames containing oversized GTK keys that trigger the buffer overflow condition. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution within the wireless firmware context, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to the device's wireless capabilities, modify network configurations, or even take complete control of the device. The vulnerability is especially concerning in automotive applications where Snapdragon Auto chipsets are used for vehicle connectivity and infotainment systems, as it could enable remote attacks on vehicle networks. The attack surface is broad due to the widespread deployment of these chipsets across various device categories including mobile phones, tablets, IoT devices, automotive systems, and networking equipment. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell and T1566.001 for Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, as attackers could use this flaw to establish persistent access through wireless networks and potentially deploy additional malicious payloads.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require a multi-layered approach combining firmware updates, network monitoring, and operational security measures. The primary and most effective mitigation is to apply the latest firmware updates provided by Qualcomm which contain patches for the buffer overflow condition. Organizations should also implement network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous wireless network management frames that could indicate exploitation attempts, particularly those containing unexpected GTK IE structures with oversized key lengths. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, especially in critical infrastructure environments. Device vendors should consider implementing additional runtime protections such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and memory protection mechanisms to make exploitation more difficult. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices in embedded firmware development, particularly around input validation and buffer management. Security teams should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments of wireless network infrastructure and monitor for signs of exploitation attempts. Given the widespread nature of affected devices, coordinated patch management across all affected systems is essential, particularly in enterprise and industrial environments where the risk of cascading failures is significant. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical need for robust firmware security practices and continuous monitoring of embedded systems that control essential network connectivity functions.