CVE-2020-11159 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE • 06/09/2021
Buffer over-read can happen while processing WPA,RSN IE of beacon and response frames if IE length is less than length of frame pointer being accessed in Snapdragon Auto, Snapdragon Compute, Snapdragon Connectivity, Snapdragon Consumer Electronics Connectivity, Snapdragon Consumer IOT, Snapdragon Industrial IOT, Snapdragon IoT, Snapdragon Mobile, Snapdragon Voice & Music, Snapdragon Wired Infrastructure and Networking
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/11/2021
This vulnerability represents a critical buffer over-read condition that occurs during the processing of wireless network management frames within Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets. The flaw manifests when the system encounters beacon and response frames containing WPA or RSN information elements where the information element length parameter is smaller than the actual frame pointer being accessed. This discrepancy creates a scenario where the processing code attempts to read beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, potentially exposing sensitive memory regions and creating opportunities for arbitrary code execution or system instability. The vulnerability affects a broad range of Snapdragon product lines including automotive systems, consumer electronics, industrial IoT devices, and networking infrastructure components, indicating a widespread impact across multiple market segments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the wireless frame processing subsystem of the Snapdragon SoCs. When parsing beacon and response frames, the system relies on the information element length field to determine buffer boundaries for subsequent processing operations. However, the validation logic fails to properly verify that the reported length values are consistent with the actual frame structure, allowing malicious actors to craft specially crafted wireless frames that trigger the over-read condition. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 category of "Out-of-bounds Read" and represents a classic example of improper bounds checking in network protocol parsing code. The issue is particularly concerning in mobile and IoT environments where wireless communication is fundamental to device operation.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-11159 extends beyond simple system crashes or hangs, as it creates potential entry points for sophisticated attack vectors. An attacker within range of vulnerable devices could exploit this vulnerability by transmitting malicious beacon frames that trigger the buffer over-read condition, potentially leading to privilege escalation, memory corruption, or even complete system compromise. The vulnerability's presence in automotive systems raises serious safety concerns, as it could potentially be exploited to disrupt vehicle communication networks or compromise critical automotive functions. Additionally, the widespread deployment of affected Snapdragon chipsets across consumer electronics, industrial IoT devices, and networking equipment means that the attack surface is extensive and includes critical infrastructure components.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on both immediate patching and operational security measures. Qualcomm has released firmware updates and software patches addressing the buffer over-read condition, which should be deployed immediately across all affected systems. Network administrators should implement monitoring solutions to detect and block suspicious beacon frames that may contain malformed information elements. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust input validation in wireless protocol implementations and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" in cases where attackers might leverage the vulnerability to execute malicious code through compromised wireless communications. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and wireless intrusion detection systems to reduce the potential impact of exploitation attempts.