CVE-2019-2325 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE
Out of boundary access due to token received from ADSP and is used without validation as an index into the array in Snapdragon Auto, Snapdragon Compute, Snapdragon Consumer IOT, Snapdragon Industrial IOT, Snapdragon IoT, Snapdragon Mobile, Snapdragon Voice & Music, Snapdragon Wearables in MDM9150, MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9640, 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 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, SDX24
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/07/2019
This vulnerability represents a critical out-of-bounds memory access flaw that occurs when processing tokens received from the ADSP (Application Digital Signal Processor) component within various Qualcomm Snapdragon SoC architectures. The issue manifests when these unvalidated tokens are directly used as array indices without proper bounds checking, creating a potential pathway for arbitrary code execution or system instability. The vulnerability affects a broad range of Snapdragon product lines including automotive, mobile, IoT, and wearable devices, indicating a widespread impact across Qualcomm's hardware ecosystem.
The technical nature of this flaw aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of array index values, and specifically relates to improper input validation where tokens from trusted sources are not properly sanitized before being used in memory operations. The vulnerability stems from the assumption that tokens received from the ADSP component are inherently trustworthy and valid, creating a dangerous trust model that can be exploited by malicious actors. When an attacker can influence the token values sent to the ADSP, they can craft inputs that result in array indices falling outside the valid memory boundaries, potentially leading to memory corruption or information disclosure.
Operationally, this vulnerability poses significant risks to device integrity and user security across multiple deployment scenarios. In automotive applications, the impact could compromise vehicle safety systems, while in mobile and IoT devices, it could enable remote code execution or privilege escalation attacks. The exploitation potential is heightened by the fact that the affected SoCs are deployed in billions of devices worldwide, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous from a threat landscape perspective. Attackers could potentially leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access to device functionalities, extract sensitive information, or disrupt normal device operations.
The remediation approach requires implementing proper input validation mechanisms for all tokens received from the ADSP component before they are used as array indices. This includes bounds checking, range validation, and ensuring that all token values fall within expected parameter ranges. Device manufacturers should implement comprehensive testing procedures that verify token handling logic under various input conditions. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Secure Coding Guidelines and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter execution, where successful exploitation could enable persistent access to affected systems. Additionally, this vulnerability demonstrates the need for proper input sanitization and validation as recommended in NIST SP 800-160 for secure system design and implementation.