CVE-2020-3669 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE
u'Buffer Overflow issue in WLAN tcp ip verification due to usage of out of range pointer offset' 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 APQ8098, IPQ5018, IPQ6018, IPQ8074, Kamorta, MSM8998, Nicobar, QCA6390, QCA8081, QCN7605, QCS404, QCS405, QCS605, Rennell, SA415M, SC7180, SC8180X, SDA845, SDM630, SDM636, SDM660, SDM670, SDM710, SDM845, SDM850, SM6150, SM7150, SM8150, SM8250, SXR1130
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/13/2020
This buffer overflow vulnerability exists within the wlan tcp ip verification functionality of multiple Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets, affecting a wide range of automotive, mobile, and connectivity products. The flaw stems from improper pointer arithmetic that allows an attacker to reference memory locations outside the intended buffer boundaries, creating a classic out-of-bounds memory access condition. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the system processes tcp ip verification requests within the wireless local area network component, where insufficient bounds checking permits malicious input to overwrite adjacent memory regions. This issue impacts numerous device types including automotive infotainment systems, mobile phones, industrial internet of things devices, and wired networking infrastructure products.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through crafted network packets or malformed tcp ip data that triggers the flawed verification routine. When the wlan subsystem processes these inputs, the out-of-range pointer offset causes the system to access memory locations beyond the allocated buffer, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system crashes. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the widespread deployment of affected chipsets across multiple product lines, including the APQ8098, IPQ5018, IPQ6018, and numerous other Snapdragon variants. This architectural flaw demonstrates a failure in proper input validation and memory management practices, aligning with CWE-121 which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions. The vulnerability could enable attackers to execute code with the privileges of the wlan subsystem, potentially compromising the entire device's network connectivity and security posture.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it represents a significant security risk for connected devices that rely on wlan connectivity. In automotive applications, this could enable remote code execution on vehicle infotainment systems, potentially allowing attackers to compromise vehicle security features or access sensitive data. For mobile devices, the vulnerability could facilitate malicious app behavior or system-level attacks that undermine user privacy and device integrity. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that many affected devices operate in environments where network connectivity is essential and security controls may be limited. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, as attackers could leverage this flaw to gain elevated system privileges. The widespread presence of vulnerable chipsets across different device categories means that organizations must consider comprehensive patch management strategies to address this vulnerability across their entire fleet of connected devices.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates from device manufacturers, network segmentation to limit wlan access, and monitoring for anomalous tcp ip traffic patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability requires careful attention in environments where these chipsets are deployed, particularly in critical infrastructure applications where security is paramount. System administrators should also consider disabling unnecessary wlan functionality where possible and implementing robust intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation indicators. Regular security assessments of affected device populations will be necessary to ensure complete remediation across all deployed systems. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper memory management in embedded systems and the need for comprehensive security testing of network subsystems in IoT and automotive environments.