CVE-2019-2341 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow when the audio buffer size provided by user is larger than the maximum allowable audio buffer size. 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 • 09/17/2020
This buffer overflow vulnerability exists in Qualcomm's Snapdragon automotive, mobile, and IoT chipsets where the system fails to properly validate audio buffer size parameters provided by users. The flaw occurs when user-supplied audio buffer sizes exceed the maximum allowable limits, creating a condition where memory corruption can occur. This vulnerability affects a vast array of Qualcomm processors including the MDM9150, MDM9206, MDM9607, and numerous Snapdragon series processors across different product lines. The technical implementation involves insufficient bounds checking during audio processing operations, where the system does not adequately verify that incoming buffer parameters remain within acceptable memory boundaries. This type of vulnerability directly maps to CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of improper input validation that can lead to arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability impacts systems where audio processing is handled by the affected chipsets, including automotive infotainment systems, mobile devices, and IoT endpoints that utilize Qualcomm's audio processing capabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple domains due to the widespread deployment of affected Snapdragon chipsets in automotive systems, mobile phones, and IoT devices. Attackers could potentially exploit this buffer overflow by crafting malicious audio buffer parameters that cause memory corruption, leading to privilege escalation or complete system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in automotive environments where Snapdragon Auto chipsets are deployed, as it could enable attackers to gain control of vehicle infotainment systems or even critical vehicle functions. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as it could allow for code execution within the audio processing subsystem. The exploitability of this vulnerability is heightened by the fact that it affects both user-space applications and potentially kernel-level audio drivers, providing multiple attack vectors for exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate software fixes and broader architectural considerations. Qualcomm has released security patches that implement proper bounds checking for audio buffer parameters, ensuring that user-provided values are validated against maximum allowable sizes before processing. Organizations should prioritize updating all affected systems to the latest firmware versions provided by Qualcomm, as these patches address the root cause of the buffer overflow. System administrators should also implement monitoring solutions to detect anomalous audio buffer usage patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation in embedded systems and emphasizes the need for robust memory safety mechanisms in automotive and IoT environments. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit potential attack surfaces, particularly in automotive applications where unauthorized code execution could pose safety risks. The fix demonstrates the necessity of adhering to secure coding practices and proper buffer management techniques as outlined in industry standards for embedded system security.