CVE-2020-11237 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE • 04/07/2021
Memory crash when accessing histogram type KPI input received due to lack of check of histogram definition before accessing it in Snapdragon Auto, Snapdragon Compute, Snapdragon Connectivity, Snapdragon Mobile
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/11/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-11237 represents a critical memory crash condition affecting multiple Qualcomm Snapdragon product lines including Auto, Compute, Connectivity, and Mobile platforms. This flaw manifests when processing histogram type KPI (Key Performance Indicator) input data, where the system fails to validate the histogram definition prior to accessing the associated memory structures. The absence of proper validation creates a scenario where malformed or improperly structured histogram data can trigger unexpected memory access patterns leading to system instability and potential crash conditions.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the insufficient input validation mechanisms within the KPI processing pipeline. When histogram type KPI data is received, the system attempts to access memory locations containing histogram definitions without first verifying that these definitions are properly structured and valid. This lack of defensive programming practices creates a classic buffer over-read or invalid memory access condition that can be exploited through carefully crafted input data. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities that can occur when insufficient bounds checking is performed.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to automotive and mobile systems that rely on Snapdragon platforms for critical functions. In automotive applications, the Snapdragon Auto platform could experience unexpected system crashes during performance monitoring or diagnostic operations, potentially affecting vehicle safety-critical systems. The connectivity and mobile platforms face similar risks where network monitoring or performance tracking functions could become unstable, leading to service interruptions or complete system failures. The impact extends beyond simple crashes as these systems may be operating in environments where reliability is paramount, such as industrial automation, IoT devices, or mobile communications infrastructure.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft malicious histogram type KPI input data that bypasses normal validation procedures. This could occur through network-based attacks targeting system interfaces, or through compromised software components that process performance data from various sources. The ATT&CK framework classification would place this under T1059.007 for command and script interpreter, specifically through the manipulation of system monitoring and performance data inputs. The vulnerability also relates to T1566 for credential access through network attacks, as system instability could potentially be leveraged to gain further access to affected systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-11237 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation mechanisms within the KPI processing components. System administrators and developers should ensure that all histogram definition data undergoes rigorous validation before any memory access operations occur. This includes implementing bounds checking, null pointer validation, and proper error handling for malformed input data. The fix should be implemented across all affected Snapdragon platform versions, with particular attention to automotive systems where safety considerations are paramount. Additionally, monitoring and logging capabilities should be enhanced to detect anomalous KPI input patterns that may indicate attempted exploitation of this vulnerability. Regular security updates and patches should be applied to all affected platforms, with priority given to automotive and industrial systems where the potential impact of system instability could be most severe.