CVE-2021-30340 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE • 06/14/2022
Reachable assertion due to improper validation of coreset in PDCCH configuration in SA mode in Snapdragon Auto, Snapdragon Compute, Snapdragon Connectivity, Snapdragon Industrial IOT, Snapdragon Mobile
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-30340 represents a critical assertion failure within the physical downlink control channel configuration of 5g networks on Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets. This issue specifically affects the scheduling and allocation of control information in standalone mode deployments where the system fails to properly validate the coreset parameter during PDCCH configuration processes. The flaw manifests as a reachable assertion that can be triggered through malformed or unexpected input values, potentially leading to system instability or complete service disruption. The vulnerability impacts multiple Snapdragon product lines including automotive, compute, connectivity, industrial iot, and mobile platforms, indicating a widespread exposure across various network infrastructure and device categories.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the PDCCH configuration module of the baseband processor. The coreset parameter defines the resource allocation for downlink control information, and when improperly validated, it can cause the system to enter an unexpected state where assertions fail and trigger system termination. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-248, or "Uncaught Exception," where an exception condition occurs but is not properly handled by the system. The assertion failure typically occurs during the initialization or reconfiguration phases of PDCCH setup, where the system attempts to process control channel information without adequate validation of the coreset parameters. The improper validation allows malicious actors or faulty network conditions to inject invalid coreset values that cause the assertion to fail.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise network reliability and availability in critical infrastructure environments. In automotive applications, this could lead to communication failures between vehicle components and network infrastructure, affecting safety-critical systems. For industrial iot deployments, the vulnerability might cause production line communication breakdowns or remote monitoring failures. Mobile network operators could experience partial or complete service outages when the assertion failure affects base station operations. The vulnerability's reachability in the PDCCH configuration process means that it can be triggered during normal network operation, not just through specific attack vectors, making it particularly dangerous. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with T1547.001 for Process Injection and T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as exploitation could involve manipulating control channel parameters to trigger the assertion failure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-30340 should focus on immediate firmware updates from Qualcomm that address the input validation gaps in PDCCH configuration modules. Network operators and device manufacturers must implement comprehensive testing procedures to validate coreset parameter handling before deployment. The solution involves strengthening the validation logic to ensure that all coreset parameters fall within acceptable ranges and meet predetermined criteria before processing. Additionally, implementing proper exception handling mechanisms that gracefully manage invalid inputs rather than allowing assertions to fail is crucial. System administrators should monitor for unusual network behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly around PDCCH configuration updates. The fix should also include logging mechanisms to track invalid coreset values and potential exploitation attempts, enabling better incident response and forensic analysis. Organizations using affected Snapdragon chipsets should prioritize patch management to ensure all devices receive the necessary security updates to prevent exploitation of this assertion failure vulnerability.