CVE-2021-30324 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE • 02/11/2022
Possible out of bound write due to lack of boundary check for the maximum size of buffer when sending a DCI packet to remote process in Snapdragon Auto, Snapdragon Compute, Snapdragon Consumer IOT, Snapdragon Industrial IOT, Snapdragon Mobile, Snapdragon Voice & Music, Snapdragon Wearables, Snapdragon Wired Infrastructure and Networking
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/16/2022
This vulnerability represents a critical buffer overflow condition that exists within the Qualcomm Snapdragon processor families, specifically affecting the Data Channel Interface (DCI) packet handling mechanism. The flaw manifests when the system fails to validate the maximum buffer size during transmission of DCI packets to remote processes, creating an opportunity for unauthorized memory manipulation. The vulnerability impacts a broad range of Qualcomm Snapdragon product lines including automotive, mobile, industrial IoT, and wearable devices, indicating the widespread nature of this security weakness. According to CWE-129, this represents an implementation flaw where insufficient input validation leads to improper boundary checking, making it susceptible to memory corruption attacks. The technical implementation involves the DCI protocol layer which manages communication between different processing units within the Snapdragon architecture, where packet size validation occurs at an insufficient level to prevent maliciously crafted payloads from exceeding allocated buffer boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple attack vectors and threat scenarios, particularly concerning the potential for remote code execution and system compromise. Attackers could exploit this condition by crafting specially designed DCI packets that exceed the intended buffer limits, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution within the affected system's memory space. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as it could enable attackers to execute malicious code through the buffer overflow mechanism. The affected Snapdragon product families include automotive systems where vehicle control functions might be compromised, consumer IoT devices that could be remotely manipulated, and mobile platforms that serve as primary attack surfaces for mobile malware. The lack of boundary checks during DCI packet transmission creates a persistent security gap that could be leveraged by threat actors to gain elevated privileges or cause system instability.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention from device manufacturers and system administrators to implement proper buffer size validation mechanisms and boundary checks. The recommended approach involves updating firmware and software components to include comprehensive input validation procedures that enforce maximum buffer size limits before packet transmission occurs. Systematic code reviews should focus on the DCI protocol implementation to ensure all buffer operations include proper boundary checking as specified in CWE-129 requirements. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and monitoring to detect anomalous DCI packet transmission patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the need for robust software development practices that emphasize secure coding standards, particularly in embedded systems where memory corruption vulnerabilities can have severe consequences. The remediation process must include thorough testing of buffer validation mechanisms and regular security assessments to prevent similar issues from emerging in future implementations. Given the widespread nature of the affected product lines, coordinated patch management across all Snapdragon-based devices becomes essential to prevent exploitation across the entire ecosystem.