CVE-2021-30317 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE • 02/11/2022
Improper validation of program headers containing ELF metadata can lead to image verification bypass in Snapdragon Auto, Snapdragon Compute, Snapdragon Connectivity, Snapdragon Consumer Electronics Connectivity, Snapdragon Consumer IOT, Snapdragon Industrial IOT, Snapdragon Mobile, Snapdragon Voice & Music, Snapdragon Wired Infrastructure and Networking
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/16/2022
This vulnerability resides in the Snapdragon automotive and mobile platform ecosystems where improper validation of program headers within ELF (Executable and Linkable Format) metadata can result in image verification bypass. The flaw affects multiple Snapdragon product lines including automotive systems, mobile devices, connectivity solutions, and industrial IoT applications. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation mechanisms that fail to properly verify the integrity and authenticity of program headers during the image verification process. When program headers are improperly validated, malicious actors can manipulate these metadata structures to bypass security checks that are designed to ensure only legitimate firmware images are executed on the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the exploitation of weaknesses in the ELF parsing logic where the system does not adequately validate the program header structures that define how the executable should be loaded and interpreted. According to CWE-20, this represents a classic input validation flaw where the system fails to properly validate the integrity of program headers within the ELF metadata. The vulnerability allows for a bypass of the image verification mechanism that is critical for maintaining the security posture of these platforms. The attack surface is particularly concerning given the wide range of affected products including automotive systems where firmware integrity is paramount for safety and security.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for systems where firmware integrity is critical for security. Attackers could potentially load malicious firmware images that would be accepted by the system due to the bypass of verification checks. The implications extend across multiple domains including automotive safety systems, mobile device security, and industrial IoT deployments where unauthorized firmware modifications could lead to system compromise or safety hazards. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which involves the use of legitimate system tools to execute malicious code, as attackers could leverage this flaw to bypass security controls and deploy unauthorized firmware.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires an understanding of ELF format specifications and the ability to craft malicious program headers that can pass the validation checks. The affected systems typically implement firmware verification mechanisms that rely on program header validation to ensure image integrity, but the flaw allows attackers to manipulate these structures. Organizations should implement robust firmware verification processes and regularly update their systems with patches provided by Qualcomm to address this vulnerability. The security implications are particularly severe in automotive contexts where such bypasses could potentially compromise vehicle safety systems or enable unauthorized access to vehicle control functions.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patch deployment from Qualcomm, implementation of additional verification layers beyond the default ELF header validation, and enhanced monitoring of firmware loading processes. Security teams should also consider implementing runtime integrity checks that can detect anomalous program header structures even when the initial validation passes. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in security-critical systems and highlights the need for comprehensive testing of metadata validation mechanisms in embedded systems. Organizations should conduct thorough risk assessments to determine the potential impact on their specific deployments and implement appropriate compensating controls to reduce the attack surface.