CVE-2019-2248 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow can occur if invalid header tries to overwrite the existing buffer which fix size allocation in Snapdragon Auto, Snapdragon Compute, Snapdragon Connectivity, Snapdragon Consumer IOT, Snapdragon Industrial IOT, Snapdragon IoT, Snapdragon Mobile, Snapdragon Voice & Music, Snapdragon Wearables in MDM9150, MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9650, MSM8909W, MSM8996AU, Qualcomm 215, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 425, SD 427, SD 430, SD 435, SD 439 / SD 429, SD 450, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 625, SD 632, SD 636, SD 650/52, SD 820, SD 820A, SD 845 / SD 850, SDM439, SDM660, SDX20
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/16/2020
This buffer overflow vulnerability exists in multiple Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets across various product categories including automotive, mobile, and IoT devices. The flaw manifests when processing invalid headers that attempt to overwrite fixed-size buffers, creating a classic buffer overrun condition. The vulnerability affects a wide range of Qualcomm processors including the MDM9150, MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9650, MSM8909W, MSM8996AU, and numerous SD series processors. The technical implementation involves improper validation of header data structures during processing, allowing malicious input to exceed allocated buffer boundaries. This vulnerability represents a critical security risk as it can potentially enable arbitrary code execution when attacker-controlled data overflows into adjacent memory regions. The impact extends across multiple device types including automotive systems, mobile phones, wearable devices, and industrial IoT applications, making it particularly concerning for widespread deployment.
The underlying technical flaw stems from insufficient bounds checking in header parsing routines within the Qualcomm chipset firmware. When processing network packets or data structures with malformed headers, the system fails to validate the length of incoming data against predetermined buffer sizes. This creates an exploitable condition where an attacker can craft malicious input that deliberately overflows the allocated memory space, potentially overwriting critical program variables, return addresses, or other sensitive data. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflow scenarios. The implementation issues typically occur in low-level firmware components responsible for network protocol handling, modem operations, or system communication protocols, where memory management is critical for system stability and security.
Operationally, this vulnerability poses significant risks to device integrity and user security across the affected product lines. Attackers could potentially exploit this condition to gain unauthorized access to system resources, execute malicious code, or cause denial of service conditions that might affect vehicle safety systems, mobile communications, or IoT device functionality. The widespread deployment of these chipsets across automotive, consumer electronics, and industrial applications means that exploitation could impact millions of devices globally. The vulnerability's presence in both automotive and mobile platforms raises particular concerns for connected vehicle systems where security failures could compromise safety-critical functions. Additionally, the exploitation of this vulnerability could enable attackers to bypass security mechanisms, access sensitive data, or potentially take control of device operations, making it a high-priority concern for security professionals.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on firmware updates provided by device manufacturers, as Qualcomm has released patches addressing the buffer overflow condition. Organizations should prioritize updating all affected devices to the latest firmware versions containing the security fixes. Network monitoring solutions should be implemented to detect and block suspicious header data patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. System administrators should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit potential attack vectors. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter indicates that exploitation could involve code injection attacks, making defensive measures such as input validation and runtime protection essential. Device manufacturers should also conduct thorough security testing of firmware components, particularly those handling network protocols and data parsing operations, to identify similar buffer overflow conditions that might exist in other system components.