CVE-2020-11289 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE • 05/07/2021
Out of bound write can occur in TZ command handler due to lack of validation of command ID in Snapdragon Auto, Snapdragon Compute, Snapdragon Connectivity, Snapdragon Consumer IOT, Snapdragon Industrial IOT, Snapdragon IoT, Snapdragon Mobile, Snapdragon Voice & Music, Snapdragon Wearables, Snapdragon Wired Infrastructure and Networking
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/12/2021
This vulnerability represents a critical out-of-bounds write condition that exists within the TrustZone command handler of various Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets. The flaw stems from insufficient validation of command IDs within the secure execution environment, creating a scenario where malicious or malformed commands could trigger memory corruption. The vulnerability affects a broad range of Qualcomm products including automotive systems, mobile devices, IoT infrastructure, and networking equipment, indicating the widespread nature of this security weakness.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the TrustZone secure world command handler failing to properly validate incoming command identifiers before processing them. When a command is received, the system should validate that the command ID falls within expected ranges or recognized command sets. However, the absence of this validation allows an attacker to submit arbitrary command IDs that may cause the system to write data beyond allocated memory boundaries. This type of flaw typically occurs when developers assume that only valid commands will be received or when input validation mechanisms are insufficiently implemented in the secure processing environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted across the affected product lines. In automotive applications, this could potentially allow attackers to compromise vehicle systems through supply chain attacks or by exploiting vulnerabilities in infotainment systems. For mobile and wearable devices, the vulnerability could enable privilege escalation attacks that allow malicious actors to gain unauthorized access to sensitive system functions. The connectivity and networking products are particularly at risk as they often serve as gateways in enterprise and industrial environments, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking persistent access to critical infrastructure.
This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and also relates to CWE-787, representing out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities in memory operations. From an adversarial perspective, this flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through exploitation of system vulnerabilities. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that TrustZone environments are designed to provide security isolation, making this a critical failure in the security architecture.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing robust command ID validation within the TrustZone command handler. This includes adding comprehensive input validation routines that verify command IDs against predefined acceptable ranges or command sets before any processing occurs. Additionally, memory bounds checking should be implemented to prevent any write operations beyond allocated buffer boundaries. System vendors should also consider implementing runtime monitoring and anomaly detection mechanisms to identify suspicious command patterns. The most effective long-term solution involves rigorous code review processes and security testing that specifically targets secure world components to ensure proper validation mechanisms are in place.
The widespread nature of this vulnerability across multiple product categories indicates that Qualcomm's secure processing implementations require fundamental architectural improvements. Organizations should implement immediate patch management procedures and consider network segmentation to limit potential attack vectors. Regular security assessments of TrustZone implementations are essential to identify similar validation gaps that could lead to similar out-of-bounds write conditions. The vulnerability serves as a reminder that secure execution environments must maintain strict input validation protocols since these areas often contain privileged code that can have far-reaching consequences when compromised.