CVE-2019-2289 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE
Lack of integrity check allows MODEM to accept any NAS messages which can result into authentication bypass of NAS in Snapdragon Auto, Snapdragon Compute, Snapdragon Consumer IOT, Snapdragon Industrial IOT, Snapdragon IoT, Snapdragon Mobile, Snapdragon Voice & Music, Snapdragon Wearables in APQ8009, APQ8017, APQ8053, APQ8096AU, APQ8098, MDM9150, MDM9205, MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9615, MDM9625, MDM9635M, MDM9640, MDM9650, MDM9655, MSM8905, MSM8909, MSM8909W, MSM8917, MSM8920, MSM8937, MSM8939, MSM8940, MSM8953, MSM8976, MSM8996AU, MSM8998, Nicobar, QCM2150, QCS605, QM215, SC8180X, SDA660, SDA845, SDM429, SDM439, SDM450, SDM630, SDM632, SDM636, SDM660, SDM670, SDM710, SDM845, SDM850, SDX20, SDX24, SDX55, SM6150, SM7150, SM8150, SM8250, Snapdragon_High_Med_2016, SXR1130, SXR2130
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/22/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2019-2289 represents a critical security flaw in Qualcomm's modem firmware that affects a wide range of mobile and IoT devices. This weakness stems from the absence of proper message integrity verification mechanisms within the modem's communication protocols, specifically impacting the Network Access Server (NAS) authentication processes. The vulnerability exists in the Snapdragon automotive, consumer IoT, industrial IoT, mobile, voice, and wearable platforms, as well as numerous chipset variants including the APQ8009, APQ8017, and various MDM and MSM series processors. The flaw allows malicious actors to manipulate NAS messages without detection, creating a pathway for unauthorized access to network resources.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-347, which addresses improper verification of cryptographic signatures or message authentication codes. In the affected systems, the modem fails to validate the integrity of incoming NAS messages, meaning that any attacker who can intercept or inject network traffic can craft malicious messages that appear authentic to the NAS. This occurs because the modem lacks proper cryptographic checks or hash verification mechanisms that would normally ensure message authenticity. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the core authentication mechanisms that protect network access, allowing attackers to potentially bypass authentication entirely and gain unauthorized access to cellular networks or services that rely on these NAS protocols.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple domains within the mobile and IoT ecosystem. Attackers could exploit this weakness to perform authentication bypass attacks against cellular networks, potentially gaining access to premium services, data transmission capabilities, or even controlling network access for legitimate users. The widespread nature of affected hardware means that numerous devices from various manufacturers could be compromised, including automotive systems, industrial sensors, consumer smartphones, and wearable devices. This vulnerability particularly impacts the ATT&CK technique T1566, which involves the use of malicious messages or payloads to compromise network infrastructure. The attack surface includes not just individual device compromise but also potential network-level attacks that could affect entire cellular infrastructure or enterprise communications systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require both firmware updates from device manufacturers and network-level protective measures. Qualcomm has released security patches addressing this issue, but deployment across the affected hardware ecosystem requires coordinated efforts from device manufacturers, carriers, and enterprise IT teams. Network operators should implement additional monitoring for unusual authentication patterns and consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify malformed NAS messages. Device manufacturers should ensure that all affected devices receive timely firmware updates and that proper cryptographic verification mechanisms are implemented in future device designs. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of implementing proper security controls at the network edge, as highlighted in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, particularly focusing on the protection of network infrastructure components that handle authentication and access control functions. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all affected devices within their network infrastructure and implement appropriate network segmentation to limit the potential impact of exploitation.