CVE-2019-2283 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE
Improper validation of read and write index of tx and rx fifo`s before calculating pointer can lead to out-of-bound access in Snapdragon Auto, Snapdragon Compute, Snapdragon Consumer IOT, Snapdragon Industrial IOT, Snapdragon Mobile, Snapdragon Voice & Music, Snapdragon Wearables in MDM9150, MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9640, MDM9650, MSM8909W, MSM8996AU, QCS605, Qualcomm 215, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 425, SD 427, SD 430, SD 435, SD 439 / SD 429, SD 450, SD 625, SD 632, SD 636, SD 675, SD 712 / SD 710 / SD 670, SD 730, SD 820, SD 820A, SD 835, SD 845 / SD 850, SD 855, SDA660, SDM439, SDM630, SDM660, SDX20, SDX24
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/05/2024
This vulnerability represents a critical buffer overflow condition in the Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset family that affects multiple processor variants across automotive, mobile, and IoT applications. The flaw occurs within the transmit and receive fifo buffer management subsystem where insufficient validation of read and write indices prior to pointer calculations creates opportunities for out-of-bounds memory access. The vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking mechanisms that fail to verify index values before performing arithmetic operations to calculate memory pointer locations. This weakness allows attackers to manipulate fifo indices in ways that bypass normal memory access controls and potentially execute arbitrary code within the affected system contexts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through the manipulation of fifo pointer calculations where valid index values are not properly validated before being used in memory address computations. When the system calculates memory locations for data read/write operations, it processes indices without adequate range verification, creating pathways for memory corruption. This type of flaw falls under the CWE-129 category of Improper Validation of Array Index, specifically addressing insufficient validation of read and write indices before pointer calculations. The vulnerability affects a broad range of Qualcomm chipsets including the MDM9150, MDM9206, MDM9607, and various SD series processors, indicating a fundamental design flaw across multiple hardware generations and application domains.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple security domains including automotive systems, mobile devices, and industrial IoT applications. Attackers could exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to system memory, potentially leading to privilege escalation, system compromise, or data exfiltration. The vulnerability affects systems that rely on proper fifo buffer management for communication protocols, making it particularly dangerous in automotive environments where safety-critical systems depend on reliable data processing. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation and execution techniques, as it provides pathways for attackers to execute malicious code within the target system context. Systems utilizing these chipsets in critical infrastructure, automotive control systems, or mobile devices face significant risk from this flaw.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require both software and hardware-level approaches to address the root cause of improper index validation. Qualcomm has released firmware updates and patches that implement proper bounds checking mechanisms for fifo index validation before pointer calculations. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of these patches across all affected devices and systems. Additionally, implementing runtime monitoring systems that detect anomalous fifo access patterns can provide early warning of potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of robust input validation and bounds checking in embedded systems, particularly in automotive and IoT environments where system reliability and security are paramount. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify systems utilizing affected chipsets and ensure proper patch management protocols are in place to prevent exploitation.