CVE-2020-3666 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE
u'Out of bounds memory access during memory copy while processing Host command' in Snapdragon Auto, Snapdragon Compute, Snapdragon Connectivity, Snapdragon Consumer Electronics Connectivity, Snapdragon Consumer IOT, Snapdragon Industrial IOT, Snapdragon Mobile, Snapdragon Voice & Music, Snapdragon Wired Infrastructure and Networking in APQ8009, APQ8017, APQ8053, APQ8096AU, APQ8098, IPQ4019, IPQ6018, IPQ8064, IPQ8074, MDM9206, MDM9207C, MDM9607, MDM9640, MDM9650, MSM8996AU, MSM8998, QCA6174A, QCA6574, QCA6574AU, QCA6584AU, QCA8081, QCA9377, QCA9379, QCA9531, QCA9558, QCA9563, QCA9880, QCA9886, QCA9980, QCN5500, QCN5502, QCS404, QCS405, QCS605, SA6155P, SDA845, SDM630, SDM636, SDM660, SDM670, SDM710, SDM845, SDM850, SDX20, SDX24, SXR1130
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/13/2020
This vulnerability represents a critical out-of-bounds memory access condition that occurs during memory copy operations when processing host commands within Qualcomm's Snapdragon automotive, compute, connectivity, consumer electronics, iot, industrial, mobile, voice music, and networking product lines. The flaw affects a wide range of hardware platforms including the APQ8009, APQ8017, APQ8053, APQ8096AU, APQ8098, IPQ4019, IPQ6018, IPQ8064, IPQ8074, MDM9206, MDM9207C, MDM9607, MDM9640, MDM9650, MSM8996AU, MSM8998, QCA6174A, QCA6574, QCA6574AU, QCA6584AU, QCA8081, QCA9377, QCA9379, QCA9531, QCA9558, QCA9563, QCA9880, QCA9886, QCA9980, QCN5500, QCN5502, QCS404, QCS405, QCS605, SA6155P, SDA845, SDM630, SDM636, SDM660, SDM670, SDM710, SDM845, SDM850, SDX20, SDX24, and SXR1130 chipsets. The vulnerability manifests when the system processes host commands through memory copy operations, creating an opportunity for attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code or cause system instability. This issue falls under the CWE-125 Out-of-bounds Read weakness category, which is classified as a memory safety vulnerability that can lead to information disclosure, denial of service, or privilege escalation. The attack surface is particularly concerning given the widespread deployment of these chipsets in automotive systems, industrial IoT devices, mobile platforms, and networking infrastructure, making the exploitation potential extensive across multiple industry sectors. The operational impact of this vulnerability includes potential system crashes, unauthorized code execution, and data corruption, which could be particularly dangerous in automotive applications where system reliability is paramount. From an attacker perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell, as it could enable attackers to execute malicious commands through compromised host interfaces. The memory copy operation that triggers this vulnerability suggests that input validation or bounds checking is insufficient during command processing, potentially allowing attackers to craft malicious host commands that exceed allocated memory boundaries. The severity classification indicates that this vulnerability requires immediate attention from system administrators and device manufacturers, particularly those deploying affected hardware in safety-critical applications. The widespread nature of the affected platforms means that mitigation efforts must be coordinated across multiple hardware vendors and software ecosystems. Organizations should implement firmware updates and patches as soon as they become available, while also considering network segmentation and access controls to limit potential attack vectors. Additionally, continuous monitoring for anomalous host command processing patterns and memory access violations should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts.
The vulnerability's technical nature as an out-of-bounds memory access during host command processing indicates a fundamental flaw in how the system validates memory boundaries during copy operations. This type of vulnerability typically arises when developers fail to properly check array or buffer limits before performing memory operations, allowing attackers to write data beyond allocated memory regions. The affected chipsets operate across diverse application domains including automotive infotainment systems, industrial control systems, mobile devices, and networking equipment, making the potential impact far-reaching. The presence of this vulnerability in both automotive and industrial IoT platforms is particularly concerning as these systems often operate in environments where security and reliability are critical requirements. The memory safety issue creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate system behavior through carefully crafted host commands that trigger memory corruption. This vulnerability represents a classic example of a buffer overflow condition that could be exploited for privilege escalation or denial of service attacks. The widespread adoption of these chipsets across multiple product lines means that the attack surface extends beyond traditional computing environments to include embedded systems, automotive electronics, and industrial automation platforms. The exploitation of this vulnerability could result in complete system compromise, particularly in automotive applications where such systems control critical vehicle functions. Security professionals should prioritize patch management for affected systems while also implementing additional defensive measures such as memory protection mechanisms and input validation controls. The vulnerability's classification as a memory safety issue aligns with common exploit patterns targeting embedded systems, where attackers often leverage such flaws to gain unauthorized access to critical infrastructure components. Organizations must consider the broader implications of this vulnerability across their entire hardware ecosystem, particularly in environments where these chipsets are deployed in safety-critical applications. The remediation approach should include both immediate firmware updates and longer-term architectural reviews to prevent similar issues in future implementations.