CVE-2021-1963 in Snapdragon Auto, Snapdragon Compute, Snapdragon Connectivity, Snapdragon Consumer IOT, Snapdragon Industrial IOT, Snapdragon Mobile, Snapdragon Voice & Music, Snapdragon Wearables
Summary
by MITRE • 09/09/2021
Possible use-after-free due to lack of validation for the rule count in filter table in IPA driver 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 • 09/12/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-1963 represents a critical use-after-free condition within the IPA (Internet Protocol Accelerator) driver component of Qualcomm's Snapdragon chipset family. This flaw exists in the filter table implementation where insufficient validation occurs for rule count parameters, creating a potential avenue for arbitrary code execution. The affected components span multiple Snapdragon product lines including automotive, mobile, connectivity, and IoT devices, indicating the widespread nature of this security weakness across Qualcomm's hardware ecosystem. The vulnerability specifically impacts the kernel-level driver responsible for network packet filtering and routing operations, making it particularly dangerous as it operates at the system's core networking layer.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the IPA driver's rule management subsystem. When processing network filter rules, the driver fails to properly validate the count parameter associated with filter table entries, allowing malicious actors to manipulate this value and trigger memory corruption conditions. This lack of proper validation creates a scenario where freed memory objects may be accessed or reused, leading to unpredictable behavior including potential privilege escalation or system crashes. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level and requires no user interaction to exploit, making it particularly concerning for embedded systems and mobile devices where users cannot easily update firmware. The flaw aligns with CWE-416 which specifically addresses use-after-free vulnerabilities, where memory is freed and then accessed, and also relates to CWE-125 which covers out-of-bounds read conditions that can occur when insufficient validation is performed.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-1963 extends beyond simple system instability to potentially enable full system compromise across numerous device categories. Mobile devices, automotive systems, and IoT deployments that rely on Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors are all at risk, with potential attackers able to leverage this vulnerability for privilege escalation attacks that could result in complete system takeover. The vulnerability's presence in both mobile and automotive applications raises significant concerns for vehicle security systems and mobile payment platforms. Network-based attacks could exploit this flaw to execute malicious code with kernel privileges, potentially allowing attackers to bypass security controls, access sensitive data, or establish persistent backdoors. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting kernel-level access through memory corruption exploits that can be leveraged for persistent system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention from device manufacturers and system administrators. The primary recommendation involves applying firmware updates from Qualcomm that address the input validation issues in the IPA driver's filter table implementation. Organizations should prioritize patch management for all affected Snapdragon-based devices, particularly those in critical infrastructure or automotive applications where security is paramount. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring should be implemented to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should consider implementing runtime protection mechanisms that can detect and prevent memory corruption patterns associated with use-after-free conditions. Device manufacturers should also conduct thorough regression testing to ensure that patches do not introduce compatibility issues with existing network filtering functionality. The vulnerability highlights the importance of robust input validation in kernel-level drivers and underscores the need for comprehensive security testing of embedded systems before deployment in production environments.