CVE-2021-30322 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE • 02/11/2022
Possible out of bounds write due to improper validation of number of GPIOs configured in an internal parameters array in Snapdragon Auto, Snapdragon Compute, Snapdragon Connectivity, Snapdragon Consumer IOT, Snapdragon Industrial IOT, Snapdragon Mobile
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/16/2022
This vulnerability represents a critical out-of-bounds write condition that affects multiple Qualcomm Snapdragon product lines including automotive, compute, connectivity, consumer IoT, and industrial IoT devices. The flaw originates from insufficient validation of GPIO configuration parameters within internal system arrays, specifically impacting how the number of configured GPIOs is processed during system initialization or configuration updates. The vulnerability stems from a fundamental lack of input sanitization and boundary checking in the GPIO management subsystem where the system fails to properly validate the number of GPIOs specified in internal parameter arrays before proceeding with memory allocation and write operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the system processes GPIO configuration data without adequate bounds checking against the maximum array size or expected parameter limits. This allows an attacker to potentially manipulate the number of GPIOs configured beyond the allocated array boundaries, resulting in memory corruption that can lead to arbitrary code execution or system instability. The flaw operates at the kernel level within the hardware abstraction layer where GPIO configuration parameters are parsed and applied to internal data structures. This type of vulnerability is classified as a CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write, which directly maps to the ATT&CK technique T1059.001 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1547.001 Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder, as it can enable privilege escalation through system memory corruption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability spans across multiple device categories including automotive infotainment systems, mobile devices, IoT sensors, and industrial control systems. Attackers could potentially exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to system resources, execute malicious code, or cause denial of service conditions that could be particularly dangerous in automotive applications where system reliability is critical. The vulnerability affects devices running Qualcomm Snapdragon processors across various product lines, making it a widespread concern for manufacturers and end users. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it involves hardware-level configuration management that could be triggered through legitimate system updates or configuration changes.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing robust input validation and boundary checking mechanisms within the GPIO configuration subsystem. System vendors should ensure that all parameter values are validated against predefined maximum limits before being processed and written to internal arrays. Firmware updates and patches should be deployed immediately to address the vulnerability, with particular attention to automotive and industrial applications where safety-critical systems are involved. The implementation of address space layout randomization and stack canaries can provide additional protection against exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous GPIO configuration patterns that might indicate attempted exploitation of this vulnerability. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime protection mechanisms and regular security assessments of their embedded systems to identify similar vulnerabilities in hardware abstraction layers and device drivers.