CVE-2019-2322 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow can occur when playing specific clip which is non-standard 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, QCS405, QCS605, Qualcomm 215, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 425, SD 427, SD 430, SD 435, SD 439 / SD 429, SD 450, SD 600, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 625, SD 632, SD 636, SD 665, 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, Snapdragon_High_Med_2016
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/12/2020
This buffer overflow vulnerability exists in Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets across multiple product lines including automotive, mobile, and IoT devices. The flaw manifests when processing non-standard video clips through the multimedia playback subsystem, specifically affecting the handling of malformed media data within the hardware acceleration pipeline. The vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking during the parsing of video frame data, allowing an attacker to craft malicious media content that can overwrite adjacent memory locations in the system's memory space. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, though it may also manifest in heap-based scenarios depending on the specific implementation details of the affected chipsets. The attack surface is particularly concerning given the widespread deployment of these chipsets across automotive infotainment systems, mobile devices, and IoT endpoints.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the exploitation of memory management functions within the Qualcomm Snapdragon multimedia processing units. When a specially crafted video clip is processed, the system fails to properly validate the size and structure of incoming data segments, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged for arbitrary code execution. The affected hardware platforms include various generations of Snapdragon processors from the 210 series through the 855 and SDX20 chipsets, indicating a broad impact across Qualcomm's product portfolio. The vulnerability specifically targets the video decoding and rendering components that are integral to the Snapdragon multimedia framework, where insufficient input validation allows attackers to manipulate memory layout through crafted media payloads. This type of attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute malicious code within the device's operating environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to potentially enable full system compromise across affected devices. Automotive systems utilizing these chipsets could be vulnerable to attacks that manipulate infotainment systems, potentially providing attackers with access to vehicle control functions or sensitive data. Mobile device users face risks of unauthorized code execution that could lead to data theft, persistent backdoors, or complete device compromise. IoT deployments across industrial and consumer sectors are equally at risk, as these devices often lack robust security updates and may operate in environments where physical access is limited. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges and can be achieved through simple media file manipulation, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users cannot be trusted to validate media content. The widespread adoption of these chipsets across multiple device categories creates a significant attack surface that could affect thousands of devices simultaneously.
Mitigation strategies should focus on both immediate patch deployment and architectural defenses. Qualcomm has released security updates for affected chipsets, though deployment may be challenging due to the diverse ecosystem of devices and manufacturers. System administrators should implement media validation controls and content filtering mechanisms to prevent processing of untrusted media files. The implementation of memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and data execution prevention can help reduce exploitability. Device manufacturers should consider implementing firmware-level protections and regular security update mechanisms to address similar vulnerabilities. Network segmentation and monitoring of multimedia processing activities can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider device hardening practices including disabling unnecessary multimedia processing capabilities and implementing strict access controls for media handling functions. The vulnerability underscores the importance of secure coding practices and comprehensive input validation in embedded systems, particularly in automotive and IoT environments where security failures can have severe operational consequences.