CVE-2021-1890 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE • 07/13/2021
Improper length check of public exponent in RSA import key function could cause memory corruption. in Snapdragon Auto, Snapdragon Compute, Snapdragon Connectivity, Snapdragon Consumer IOT, Snapdragon Industrial IOT, Snapdragon IoT, Snapdragon Voice & Music, Snapdragon Wearables
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/16/2021
This vulnerability resides in the RSA key import functionality of Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets, specifically affecting multiple automotive, consumer IoT, and wearable device platforms. The flaw manifests as an improper length check during the public exponent validation process within the cryptographic key import routine. When processing RSA public keys, the system fails to adequately verify the length of the public exponent parameter, creating a potential buffer overread condition that could lead to memory corruption. This issue impacts the fundamental cryptographic operations performed by these processors, which are widely deployed in embedded systems and mobile devices where security is paramount.
The technical implementation flaw stems from insufficient input validation in the RSA key parsing logic. During key import operations, the system does not properly validate the size constraints of the public exponent field, allowing malformed or oversized inputs to bypass security checks. This vulnerability falls under CWE-129 Input Validation and is classified as a buffer overread condition that can result in arbitrary code execution or system instability. The attack vector typically involves supplying a specially crafted RSA public key with an oversized exponent value that exceeds the allocated buffer space, causing memory corruption during the key processing phase.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple Qualcomm Snapdragon product lines including automotive platforms, industrial IoT devices, and consumer wearables. Attackers could potentially exploit this weakness to execute arbitrary code on affected devices, compromising the security of connected vehicles, industrial control systems, or personal wearable devices. The memory corruption could lead to denial of service conditions, privilege escalation, or complete system compromise depending on the execution context. Given the widespread deployment of these chipsets in critical infrastructure and consumer devices, the potential for large-scale exploitation exists, particularly in environments where secure cryptographic operations are essential for device functionality and data protection.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper input validation and buffer size checking mechanisms within the RSA key import functions. Organizations should prioritize firmware updates from device manufacturers that address the specific buffer overread conditions in the cryptographic libraries. System administrators should monitor for patched versions of Snapdragon firmware and ensure timely deployment of security updates. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1547 Persistence, as exploitation could enable attackers to establish persistent access through compromised cryptographic functions. Additionally, defensive measures should include runtime monitoring for anomalous cryptographic operations and input validation testing to detect potential exploitation attempts targeting the RSA key import functionality.