CVE-2020-11176 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE • 06/09/2021
While processing server certificate from IPSec server, certificate validation for subject alternative name API can cause heap overflow which can lead to memory corruption in Snapdragon Auto, Snapdragon Compute, Snapdragon Connectivity, Snapdragon Consumer IOT, Snapdragon Industrial IOT, Snapdragon IoT, Snapdragon Mobile
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/11/2021
This vulnerability resides in the certificate validation process within Qualcomm's Snapdragon chipsets, specifically affecting the handling of subject alternative name extensions in IPSec server certificates. The heap overflow occurs during the processing of server certificates, where the system fails to properly validate the length of subject alternative name data before copying it into memory buffers. This flaw exists in multiple Snapdragon product lines including automotive, connectivity, consumer IoT, industrial IoT, and mobile platforms, indicating a widespread impact across Qualcomm's embedded security infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking in the certificate parsing routine that handles subject alternative name extensions. When processing IPSec server certificates, the system attempts to copy subject alternative name data into fixed-size heap buffers without proper validation of the source data length. This classic buffer overflow condition allows maliciously crafted certificates to overwrite adjacent memory regions, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system instability. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the certificate validation layer, where trusted certificate chains are processed, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to compromise secure communications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability spans across numerous connected devices that rely on Snapdragon chipsets for network security and authentication. Systems affected include automotive platforms where secure communication is critical for vehicle operations, industrial IoT deployments requiring secure remote management, and consumer devices utilizing IPSec for secure networking. Memory corruption resulting from this heap overflow can lead to denial of service conditions, unauthorized access to secure channels, or potential privilege escalation within the affected systems. The vulnerability represents a significant risk to secure communications infrastructure, particularly in environments where IPSec is used for network security and authentication.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper bounds checking in certificate parsing routines and applying firmware updates from Qualcomm that address the heap overflow condition. Network administrators should monitor for malicious certificates that might exploit this vulnerability and consider implementing certificate pinning mechanisms to reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow and relates to ATT&CK technique T1552.001 for credential access through compromised certificates. Organizations should prioritize patch management for affected Snapdragon-based devices and consider network segmentation to limit the potential impact of certificate-based attacks. Additionally, implementing certificate monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous certificate structures may help identify attempts to exploit this vulnerability in the wild.