CVE-2021-1887 in Snapdragon Wired Infrastructure and Networking
Summary
by MITRE • 07/13/2021
An assertion can be reached in the WLAN subsystem while using the Wi-Fi Fine Timing Measurement protocol in Snapdragon Wired Infrastructure and Networking
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/16/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-1887 represents a critical assertion failure within the WLAN subsystem of Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets, specifically when processing Wi-Fi Fine Timing Measurement protocol communications. This flaw exists in the Snapdragon Wired Infrastructure and Networking components, indicating a deep integration point within mobile and networking hardware platforms. The issue manifests as an assertion that can be triggered during normal operation of the Wi-Fi Fine Timing Measurement protocol, which is commonly used for precise location tracking and network synchronization in wireless environments. The assertion failure occurs at a fundamental level within the wireless networking stack, potentially compromising system stability and security.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and error handling within the WLAN subsystem's implementation of the Fine Timing Measurement protocol. When legitimate Wi-Fi Fine Timing Measurement frames are processed, the system encounters a condition that causes an assertion to fail, leading to potential system crashes or unexpected behavior. This represents a classic example of a software assertion failure that can be exploited to cause denial of service conditions or potentially enable more sophisticated attack vectors. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level within the wireless networking infrastructure, making it particularly dangerous as it can affect the core functionality of wireless communications on affected devices.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to mobile devices, IoT systems, and networking infrastructure that utilize Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets. The potential for remote exploitation means that attackers could trigger the assertion failure through malicious Wi-Fi frames transmitted over the air, leading to service disruption and system instability. Devices running affected firmware versions could experience complete wireless connectivity failures, rendering them unusable for network communications. The vulnerability affects a broad range of devices including smartphones, tablets, wireless routers, and enterprise networking equipment that rely on Qualcomm's Snapdragon networking solutions for their wireless capabilities.
The security implications extend beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as assertion failures in core networking components can potentially provide attackers with opportunities to escalate privileges or bypass security controls. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-617, which addresses reachable assertions that can be triggered by external inputs, and may also relate to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through wireless protocols. Organizations deploying affected hardware should consider the potential for attackers to leverage this flaw in conjunction with other vulnerabilities to establish persistent access or conduct more sophisticated attacks. The remediation process requires firmware updates from device manufacturers, as Qualcomm has released patches to address the assertion failure in the WLAN subsystem.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate firmware updates from device vendors, network segmentation to limit exposure, and monitoring for unusual wireless traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should implement network-based intrusion detection systems capable of identifying malicious Fine Timing Measurement frames and consider disabling unnecessary wireless features until patches are applied. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust input validation in wireless protocol implementations and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of networking subsystems. Organizations should conduct thorough inventory assessments to identify all devices utilizing affected Snapdragon chipsets and prioritize patch deployment based on risk assessment and operational criticality.