CVE-2021-30353 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE • 01/13/2022
Improper validation of function pointer type with actual function signature can lead to assertion in Snapdragon Auto, Snapdragon Compute, Snapdragon Connectivity, Snapdragon Consumer IOT, Snapdragon Industrial IOT, Snapdragon Voice & Music, Snapdragon Wearables
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/16/2022
This vulnerability represents a critical type mismatch issue within the Qualcomm Snapdragon processor families that affects automotive, connectivity, compute, consumer iot, industrial iot, voice and music, and wearable devices. The flaw occurs when function pointers are improperly validated against their actual function signatures, creating a scenario where assertions may fail during runtime execution. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of improper validation as classified by CWE-252, which specifically addresses issues where input validation is insufficient or incorrectly implemented. The technical nature of this flaw suggests that the processor's runtime environment or firmware contains logic that does not properly verify function pointer integrity before execution, potentially allowing for unexpected behavior or system instability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability spans multiple Snapdragon product lines and could affect device functionality across various automotive systems, wireless connectivity modules, consumer electronics, industrial equipment, and wearable devices. When assertions fail due to improper function pointer validation, the affected systems may experience unexpected crashes, system instability, or potentially unauthorized code execution depending on the specific implementation details. This vulnerability particularly concerns automotive applications where Snapdragon Auto platforms are used, as system reliability and safety are paramount. The flaw demonstrates a classic weakness in software design where type safety mechanisms are not properly enforced, creating potential attack vectors that could be exploited to disrupt normal device operations or potentially gain elevated privileges within the system.
Security implications extend beyond simple system instability as this type of vulnerability could enable attackers to manipulate function pointer execution paths, potentially leading to privilege escalation or denial of service conditions. The ATT&CK framework would classify this under technique T1068 for 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' and T1499 for 'Endpoint Denial of Service' depending on the exploitation method. The vulnerability affects multiple processor architectures within the Snapdragon ecosystem, indicating a fundamental issue in the firmware or runtime libraries that govern function pointer handling across these platforms. This widespread impact suggests that the root cause lies in shared components or common libraries that are utilized across various Snapdragon product categories, making the vulnerability particularly concerning for manufacturers who rely on these processors for mission-critical applications.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper function pointer validation mechanisms that ensure type safety between declared function signatures and actual implementation details. Firmware updates from Qualcomm should be prioritized to address this issue across all affected product lines, with particular attention to automotive and industrial applications where system reliability is critical. System administrators and device manufacturers should implement runtime monitoring to detect anomalous function pointer behavior and consider applying code integrity checks to prevent unauthorized modifications to function pointer tables. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper software development practices including static code analysis, dynamic testing, and adherence to secure coding guidelines that prevent type mismatch errors in critical embedded systems. Additionally, implementing memory protection mechanisms and address space layout randomization could provide additional defense-in-depth measures against potential exploitation of this vulnerability.