CVE-2020-11218 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE • 03/17/2021
Denial of service in baseband when NW configures LTE betaOffset-RI-Index due to lack of data validation in Snapdragon Auto, Snapdragon Compute, Snapdragon Connectivity, Snapdragon Consumer IOT, Snapdragon Industrial IOT, Snapdragon Mobile
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/02/2021
This vulnerability represents a critical denial of service condition affecting multiple Qualcomm Snapdragon product lines including automotive, compute, connectivity, consumer IoT, industrial IoT, and mobile platforms. The flaw manifests when the network configures LTE betaOffset-RI-Index parameters without proper data validation mechanisms within the baseband processor. This specific configuration parameter controls radio interface index values that influence how the device processes LTE signals and maintains network connectivity. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation in the baseband firmware that handles these LTE configuration parameters, creating a scenario where malformed or unexpected parameter values can cause the baseband processing unit to crash or become unresponsive. The impact extends across all affected Snapdragon product categories, indicating a fundamental flaw in the baseband implementation that affects automotive systems, industrial IoT deployments, consumer devices, and mobile platforms.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and CWE-119, which addresses insufficient data validation. When the network transmits LTE betaOffset-RI-Index values that exceed expected parameter boundaries or contain invalid formatting, the baseband processor fails to properly validate these inputs before processing them. This lack of validation allows attackers or malicious network entities to craft specific configuration parameters that trigger unexpected behavior in the baseband firmware. The vulnerability operates at the fundamental level of radio interface management where the device's ability to maintain cellular connectivity becomes compromised. The baseband processor, which handles all radio communication functions including signal processing, modulation, demodulation, and network configuration, becomes unable to process the malformed parameters correctly, leading to system instability or complete service interruption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the reliability and safety of connected systems across multiple domains. In automotive applications, this could result in loss of cellular connectivity for critical vehicle functions including emergency services, navigation, and over-the-air updates. For industrial IoT deployments, the vulnerability may cause production line communication failures or remote monitoring system outages that could impact operational efficiency and safety protocols. Consumer devices may experience complete cellular service loss, rendering smartphones, tablets, and other mobile equipment unable to connect to cellular networks until rebooted. The vulnerability affects all affected Snapdragon platforms because they share common baseband processing architectures and firmware implementations, making the impact widespread across different device categories and use cases.
Mitigation strategies should focus on firmware updates from device manufacturers that implement proper input validation for LTE configuration parameters. Network operators should avoid transmitting malformed betaOffset-RI-Index values and implement monitoring systems to detect unusual parameter configurations. Device manufacturers should conduct comprehensive testing of baseband parameter handling and implement robust input sanitization routines. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of validating all network-provided configuration parameters, particularly those related to radio interface management and signal processing. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit which entities can configure LTE parameters on affected devices. Given the widespread impact across multiple Snapdragon product lines, coordinated remediation efforts between chipset vendors, device manufacturers, and network operators are essential to ensure comprehensive protection against this denial of service vulnerability.