CVE-2019-2332 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE
Memory corruption while accessing the memory as payload size is not validated before access in Snapdragon Auto, Snapdragon Compute, Snapdragon Consumer IOT, Snapdragon Industrial IOT, Snapdragon IoT, Snapdragon Mobile, Snapdragon Voice & Music, Snapdragon Wearables in MDM9150, MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9615, 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 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, SDX24
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/07/2019
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw that occurs when the system accesses memory without proper validation of payload size parameters. The issue manifests in Qualcomm's Snapdragon automotive, computing, consumer IoT, industrial IoT, mobile, voice/music, and wearable platforms, affecting a broad range of hardware components including the MDM9150, MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9615, 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 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, and SDX24 chipsets. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, where insufficient input validation leads to memory access violations. This flaw can be exploited by adversaries who craft malicious payloads that exceed expected buffer boundaries, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system crashes. The impact is particularly severe in automotive and industrial applications where system reliability and security are paramount, as demonstrated by the ATT&CK framework's T1059.007 technique for command and scripting interpreter, which could be leveraged through memory corruption to gain unauthorized access. The vulnerability affects both mobile and embedded systems, making it particularly dangerous for connected vehicles and IoT devices that rely on these processors for critical operations. The memory corruption occurs at the hardware level within Qualcomm's processor architecture, making it challenging to detect and mitigate through traditional software-based approaches.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking during memory operations within the Snapdragon chipset's memory management subsystem. When processing incoming data payloads, the system fails to validate the size of the data before attempting to access memory locations, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory contents through carefully crafted inputs. This type of vulnerability is classified as a memory safety issue that can lead to information disclosure, system instability, or complete system compromise. The flaw exists across multiple generations of Qualcomm processors, indicating a systemic issue within the firmware or hardware design rather than an isolated incident. Attackers can exploit this weakness by sending malformed data packets that trigger the memory access without proper validation, potentially causing the processor to execute unintended code sequences or corrupt critical system memory areas. The vulnerability's presence in both automotive and consumer-grade processors suggests that attackers could target a wide range of devices including smartphones, tablets, automotive infotainment systems, industrial sensors, and wearable devices. This cross-platform impact makes the vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations implementing security measures across heterogeneous device ecosystems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system crashes to potentially enable complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive data. In automotive environments, this flaw could allow attackers to manipulate vehicle systems, potentially affecting critical functions such as braking, steering, or entertainment systems, directly impacting passenger safety. The vulnerability's presence in voice and music processing components raises concerns about potential audio-based attacks or the compromise of voice assistant systems that rely on these processors. For industrial IoT applications, the memory corruption could lead to unauthorized access to industrial control systems, potentially causing production disruptions or safety hazards. Organizations implementing these processors in critical infrastructure face significant risks as the vulnerability could be exploited through network-based attacks, physical device compromise, or supply chain attacks. The ATT&CK framework's T1210 technique for exploitation for privilege escalation becomes particularly relevant when considering how this memory corruption could be leveraged to gain elevated privileges within the system. The widespread adoption of these processors across multiple device categories means that the potential attack surface is extensive, requiring comprehensive security assessments and patch management across numerous platforms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security architecture improvements. Qualcomm has issued firmware updates and patches to address the memory validation issues in affected processors, requiring device manufacturers and end users to implement these updates promptly. Security professionals should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments across all systems utilizing affected Snapdragon chipsets, particularly focusing on automotive, industrial, and mobile applications. Network segmentation and monitoring should be implemented to detect anomalous memory access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The implementation of memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and data execution prevention can help mitigate the impact of similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing device authentication mechanisms and secure boot processes to prevent unauthorized firmware modifications that could exploit this or related vulnerabilities. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify potential exploitation vectors, with particular attention to how the vulnerability might be combined with other weaknesses to achieve more severe outcomes. The defense-in-depth approach recommended by NIST SP 800-53 should be applied, ensuring that multiple layers of protection are in place to defend against memory corruption attacks. Additionally, continuous monitoring of threat intelligence feeds and vulnerability databases will help organizations stay informed about potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific memory corruption flaw.