CVE-2021-1916 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE • 09/08/2021
Possible buffer underflow due to lack of check for negative indices values when processing user provided input 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 • 09/11/2021
This vulnerability represents a critical buffer underflow condition that emerges from insufficient validation of user-provided input parameters within multiple Qualcomm Snapdragon processor families. The flaw specifically manifests when negative index values are not properly checked during data processing operations, creating potential memory access violations that could be exploited by malicious actors. The affected product lines span across automotive, industrial, consumer internet of things, connectivity solutions, voice and music processing platforms, and wearable devices, indicating the widespread nature of this vulnerability across Qualcomm's ecosystem.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking mechanisms within the software components that handle user input processing. When negative indices are passed to memory allocation or array access routines without proper validation, the system may attempt to access memory locations outside the intended buffer boundaries. This condition can result in unpredictable behavior including system crashes, data corruption, or potentially arbitrary code execution depending on the specific implementation context. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which specifically addresses improper validation of array indices, and represents a classic example of insufficient input validation that can lead to memory safety issues.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks across multiple device categories that rely on Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors. Automotive systems utilizing Snapdragon Auto platforms could face safety-critical failures if this vulnerability is exploited, potentially affecting vehicle control systems or infotainment functionality. Industrial IoT deployments using Snapdragon Industrial IOT processors may experience service disruptions or data integrity issues that could impact operational continuity. Consumer devices leveraging Snapdragon Connectivity, Consumer IOT, Voice & Music, or Wearables platforms could see unauthorized access or system compromise through exploitation of this buffer underflow condition.
The exploitation potential of this vulnerability is enhanced by the widespread deployment of affected Snapdragon processor families across numerous device types and manufacturers. Attackers could potentially leverage this weakness through crafted input sequences that manipulate index values to trigger the underflow condition. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, where malicious input could be used to establish persistent access or escalate privileges within affected systems. The vulnerability's presence across multiple processor generations and product lines suggests that mitigation efforts must consider broad compatibility requirements while maintaining security effectiveness.
Recommended mitigations for this vulnerability should include immediate firmware and software updates from device manufacturers to address the underlying bounds checking deficiencies. System administrators should implement input validation controls at multiple layers including application-level checks, network filtering, and runtime monitoring to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Device manufacturers should conduct comprehensive code reviews focusing on array access patterns and index validation mechanisms to prevent similar issues in future releases. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit potential attack surface exposure, particularly for automotive and industrial deployments where system integrity is paramount. The vulnerability highlights the importance of robust input validation practices and demonstrates how seemingly simple oversight in index checking can create cascading security implications across diverse device ecosystems.