CVE-2021-30287 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE • 01/13/2022
Possible assertion due to improper validation of symbols configured for PDCCH monitoring in Snapdragon Auto, Snapdragon Compute, Snapdragon Connectivity, Snapdragon Industrial IOT, Snapdragon Mobile
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/16/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-30287 represents a critical assertion failure within the physical downlink control channel monitoring functionality of Qualcomm Snapdragon automotive and mobile platform components. This issue manifests when the system processes symbols configured for PDCCH monitoring without proper validation of the symbol parameters, potentially leading to system instability or unexpected behavior. The vulnerability affects multiple Snapdragon product lines including automotive platforms, compute modules, connectivity solutions, industrial IoT devices, and mobile platforms, indicating a widespread impact across Qualcomm's embedded systems portfolio. The assertion failure occurs during the control channel monitoring process where the system validates symbol configurations for downlink control information transmission.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the PDCCH monitoring subsystem, specifically during the handling of symbol configuration parameters. When symbols are configured for PDCCH monitoring, the system should validate that the symbol parameters fall within acceptable ranges and meet required specifications. However, the absence of proper validation allows malformed or out-of-bounds symbol configurations to proceed through the monitoring process, ultimately triggering an assertion failure that can cause system crashes or unpredictable behavior. This validation gap creates an opportunity for attackers to potentially exploit the system through crafted symbol configurations that trigger the assertion failure. The vulnerability operates at the firmware level within the baseband processor, making it particularly concerning for automotive applications where system reliability is paramount.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple domains including automotive safety systems, mobile communications, and industrial IoT deployments. In automotive applications, the failure could compromise vehicle communication systems and potentially affect safety-critical functions that rely on proper downlink control channel monitoring. Mobile devices may experience unexpected reboots or communication failures when processing certain downlink control information, while industrial IoT systems could face operational disruptions in critical infrastructure applications. The vulnerability's presence in multiple Snapdragon product categories suggests that any device utilizing these platforms could be at risk, making it a significant concern for manufacturers and end users across various industries. The assertion failure could potentially be exploited to cause denial of service conditions or may provide a foothold for more sophisticated attacks targeting the underlying system architecture.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-30287 should focus on implementing robust input validation mechanisms within the PDCCH monitoring subsystem and applying firmware updates from Qualcomm as they become available. Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments across their deployed Snapdragon-based systems to identify affected devices and prioritize remediation efforts. The implementation of additional runtime checks and parameter validation should be considered as temporary measures while permanent firmware updates are deployed. Security teams should monitor for potential exploitation attempts and consider network-level monitoring to detect unusual control channel behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, "Improper Input Validation," and may be leveraged through ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and denial of service, making comprehensive security monitoring essential for affected deployments.