CVE-2020-3668 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE
u'Buffer overflow while parsing PMF enabled MCBC frames due to frame length being lesser than what is expected while parsing' 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 IPQ6018, IPQ8074, Kamorta, Nicobar, QCA6390, QCA8081, QCN7605, QCS404, QCS405, QCS605, Rennell, SA415M, SC7180, SC8180X, SDA845, SDM670, SDM710, SDM845, SDM850, SM6150, SM7150, SM8150, SXR1130
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/13/2020
This buffer overflow vulnerability exists in Qualcomm Snapdragon automotive and mobile platform implementations where the parsing of PMF (Power Management Frame) enabled MCBC (Multi-Channel Broadcast) frames fails due to insufficient validation of frame length parameters. The flaw occurs when the actual frame length received is less than the expected length during the parsing process, creating a condition where the system attempts to read beyond allocated buffer boundaries. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, representing a classic memory corruption issue that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code or cause system instability.
The technical implementation involves the wireless networking stack within Qualcomm's Snapdragon chipsets where MCBC frames are processed for power management purposes. When parsing these frames, the system assumes a minimum frame length based on expected protocol structures, but when shorter frames are received, the parsing logic does not properly validate the incoming data size against the buffer allocation. This discrepancy allows attackers to craft malicious frames that trigger the buffer overflow condition, potentially enabling privilege escalation or denial of service attacks.
The operational impact spans across multiple automotive and consumer IoT platforms including the IPQ6018, IPQ8074, and various SDM/SC series processors. These devices are deployed in critical applications ranging from automotive infotainment systems to industrial IoT deployments, making the vulnerability particularly concerning. Attackers could exploit this through wireless network traffic manipulation, potentially affecting vehicle safety systems, industrial control networks, or consumer electronics connectivity. The vulnerability affects both mobile and automotive platforms, creating widespread exposure across multiple industry sectors.
Mitigation strategies should focus on firmware updates from device manufacturers to address the buffer validation logic in the wireless networking stack. System administrators should implement network monitoring to detect anomalous frame patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1499.004 for network disruption, as exploitation could lead to system compromise or service denial. Organizations should also consider network segmentation and access controls to limit potential attack vectors, while maintaining awareness of the specific chipset models affected to ensure proper patch deployment across their device fleet.