CVE-2021-30308 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE • 01/13/2022
Possible buffer overflow while printing the HARQ memory partition detail due to improper validation of buffer size in Snapdragon Auto, Snapdragon Compute, Snapdragon Connectivity, Snapdragon Consumer IOT, Snapdragon Industrial IOT, Snapdragon Mobile
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/16/2022
This vulnerability represents a critical buffer overflow condition that occurs during the printing of HARQ memory partition details within Qualcomm Snapdragon automotive and mobile platform ecosystems. The flaw stems from inadequate validation of buffer sizes when processing memory allocation information, creating a potential exploitation vector that could compromise system integrity. The vulnerability affects multiple Snapdragon product lines including automotive platforms, compute modules, connectivity solutions, consumer IoT devices, industrial IoT systems, and mobile processors, indicating a widespread impact across Qualcomm's embedded platform portfolio. The technical implementation involves improper bounds checking during memory partition detail generation, where insufficient validation allows for oversized data writes into predetermined buffer structures. This condition aligns with CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow vulnerabilities, and represents a classic example of insufficient boundary checking in memory management operations. The operational impact extends beyond simple memory corruption, as this vulnerability could enable attackers to execute arbitrary code within the affected systems, potentially compromising the entire platform security posture.
The vulnerability's exploitation potential is significant given that it occurs during memory management operations that are frequently accessed during system initialization and runtime operations. Attackers could leverage this buffer overflow to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting critical system data structures or injecting malicious code into the execution flow. The attack surface is particularly concerning in automotive environments where Snapdragon platforms control critical vehicle functions, as this vulnerability could potentially be exploited to compromise vehicle safety systems or enable unauthorized access to connected vehicle networks. The vulnerability's presence across multiple product categories including automotive, industrial, and mobile platforms suggests that the underlying codebase shares common memory management patterns that have not been properly secured. This widespread occurrence indicates a systemic issue in Qualcomm's development practices rather than an isolated incident, potentially affecting thousands of devices deployed across various industries. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as exploitation could enable command execution through memory corruption, and T1547.001 for registry run keys, as attackers might attempt to establish persistent access through modified system configurations.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing robust buffer size validation mechanisms throughout the memory management codebase, particularly during HARQ memory partition detail generation operations. Systematic code reviews and static analysis should be conducted to identify similar buffer overflow patterns across the affected Snapdragon platform implementations. The implementation of modern memory safety features such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and compiler-based buffer overflow protections should be prioritized for affected systems. Additionally, firmware updates and patches should be deployed immediately to address the vulnerability in all affected Snapdragon platform versions, with particular attention to automotive and industrial deployments where safety-critical operations are performed. Organizations should also implement runtime monitoring systems to detect anomalous memory access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts, while maintaining comprehensive vulnerability management programs to identify and remediate similar issues across their embedded platform portfolios. The vulnerability highlights the importance of adhering to secure coding practices and maintaining rigorous quality assurance processes, particularly for memory management operations that are fundamental to system stability and security.