CVE-2021-1892 in Snapdragon Compute
Summary
by MITRE • 04/07/2021
Memory corruption due to improper input validation while processing IO control which is nonstandard in Snapdragon Compute, Snapdragon Connectivity, Snapdragon Consumer Electronics Connectivity, Snapdragon Wired Infrastructure and Networking
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/11/2021
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption issue affecting multiple Qualcomm Snapdragon product lines including compute, connectivity, consumer electronics connectivity, wired infrastructure, and networking devices. The flaw originates from inadequate input validation mechanisms during the processing of I/O control operations that utilize nonstandard protocols. The vulnerability manifests when the system fails to properly validate or sanitize input data before processing I/O control requests, creating opportunities for malicious actors to manipulate memory structures through carefully crafted inputs. This memory corruption vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation as defined by CWE-20, which specifically addresses weaknesses in input validation that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. The affected Snapdragon product families operate across various networking and communication domains, making this vulnerability particularly concerning as it could impact both wired and wireless infrastructure components. The nonstandard I/O control protocols used in these systems introduce additional complexity to the validation process, as traditional input sanitization methods may not adequately address the unique characteristics of these proprietary interfaces. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability by sending malformed or specially crafted I/O control requests that bypass normal validation checks, potentially leading to buffer overflows, heap corruption, or other memory integrity violations. The operational impact extends beyond simple system instability as memory corruption can result in complete system compromise, data leakage, or denial of service conditions that affect network infrastructure reliability. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving memory corruption and privilege escalation, as attackers could potentially leverage the memory corruption to gain elevated privileges within the affected systems. The vulnerability's presence in both compute and connectivity components means that exploitation could affect not only local system operations but also network communication capabilities, potentially enabling attackers to disrupt connectivity services or establish persistent access points. Security researchers have identified that the issue stems from insufficient bounds checking and validation routines within the I/O control processing stack, where input parameters are not adequately verified against expected formats or ranges before being processed. The complexity of the affected Snapdragon product ecosystem, which spans from consumer electronics to enterprise networking infrastructure, increases the potential attack surface significantly. Organizations using these platforms must consider that the vulnerability could be exploited through various attack vectors including network-based attacks targeting exposed I/O interfaces or local privilege escalation scenarios. The remediation approach requires comprehensive input validation improvements across all I/O control processing pathways, along with enhanced memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and heap metadata validation. System administrators should prioritize patch deployment for affected Snapdragon platforms and implement network segmentation to limit potential attack vectors. The vulnerability's classification as a memory corruption issue aligns with industry standards that emphasize the critical nature of such flaws in embedded systems and networking equipment where stability and security are paramount. Additional mitigations should include runtime monitoring for anomalous I/O control patterns and implementation of secure coding practices that enforce strict input validation throughout the software stack. The exploitation potential of this vulnerability is heightened by the widespread deployment of Snapdragon-based networking equipment in enterprise and consumer environments, making it a significant concern for both security professionals and system administrators responsible for maintaining network infrastructure integrity.