CVE-2021-1904 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE • 09/08/2021
Child process can leak information from parent process due to numeric pids are getting compared and these pid can be reused in Snapdragon Auto, Snapdragon Compute, Snapdragon Connectivity, Snapdragon Consumer IOT, Snapdragon Industrial IOT, Snapdragon Mobile, Snapdragon Voice & Music, Snapdragon Wearables
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/25/2024
This vulnerability resides in the Snapdragon automotive and IoT product families where child processes can potentially access information from their parent processes through improper handling of process identifiers. The core issue stems from the reuse of numeric process identifiers within the operating system kernel, creating a scenario where a newly created child process might be assigned the same pid as a previously terminated parent process. This pid reuse pattern creates a window of opportunity for information leakage when the system compares these numeric identifiers without proper validation mechanisms.
The technical flaw manifests in the kernel's process management subsystem where process identifier comparison operations do not adequately verify the legitimacy of the process context. When a child process is spawned, it may inherit or reference process identifiers that have been recycled from previous processes, allowing for potential information disclosure through shared memory segments, file descriptors, or other process-specific resources. This vulnerability specifically affects Qualcomm's Snapdragon platforms across multiple product lines including automotive systems, consumer IoT devices, mobile platforms, and wearable technologies.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple security domains particularly affecting systems that require strict process isolation and information protection. Attackers could exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data that was previously handled by parent processes, potentially compromising system integrity and confidentiality. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in automotive environments where vehicle systems require robust security boundaries, and in IoT deployments where device isolation is critical for maintaining overall network security. Systems utilizing these Snapdragon platforms may experience information leakage that could be leveraged for privilege escalation or lateral movement within the affected device ecosystem.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper process identifier validation mechanisms that prevent the reuse of pids within a timeframe sufficient to ensure complete cleanup of parent process resources. The implementation of stronger process isolation controls and enhanced kernel memory management practices would address the root cause of this vulnerability. Organizations should also consider applying firmware updates from Qualcomm that address the specific pid reuse handling issues. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-362 which addresses race conditions and CWE-200 which covers information exposure, while the attack patterns would fall under ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and information gathering through process manipulation. The remediation approach should include kernel-level patches that enforce proper process lifecycle management and eliminate the conditions that allow for pid reuse during critical resource access periods.