CVE-2021-35115 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE • 04/01/2022
Improper handling of multiple session supported by PVM backend can lead to use after free in Snapdragon Auto, Snapdragon Mobile
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/05/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-35115 represents a critical flaw in the PVM backend implementation within Qualcomm Snapdragon automotive and mobile platforms. This issue stems from inadequate management of multiple session handling within the platform virtual machine environment, creating conditions where memory resources may be improperly released and subsequently accessed. The vulnerability specifically affects systems utilizing Qualcomm's Snapdragon Auto and Snapdragon Mobile chipsets, which are widely deployed in automotive infotainment systems, mobile devices, and connected vehicles.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper memory management practices within the PVM backend subsystem. When multiple sessions are established and managed concurrently, the system fails to properly coordinate the lifecycle of memory allocations associated with these sessions. This mismanagement creates a use-after-free condition where memory blocks that should have been deallocated are still referenced by subsequent operations, leading to potential memory corruption and system instability. The flaw manifests when session termination occurs while other processes may still be accessing resources associated with the session, violating fundamental memory safety principles.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system crashes or instability, potentially enabling arbitrary code execution and privilege escalation within the affected platforms. Attackers could exploit this condition to gain unauthorized access to sensitive system resources, manipulate vehicle control systems, or compromise the integrity of mobile device operations. In automotive environments, this vulnerability presents particular risk as it could potentially affect vehicle safety systems, entertainment interfaces, or communication modules that rely on the Snapdragon platform's virtualization capabilities. The use-after-free condition creates a vector for memory corruption attacks that could be leveraged to bypass security controls and execute malicious code with elevated privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-35115 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Qualcomm and device manufacturers to address the underlying memory management flaws in the PVM backend implementation. System administrators should implement monitoring solutions to detect anomalous session handling patterns and memory allocation behaviors that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free errors, and represents a significant concern within the ATT&CK framework under the system binary modification and privilege escalation tactics. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their automotive and mobile device fleets to identify systems running vulnerable versions of the Snapdragon platform and ensure comprehensive patch management procedures are in place to address this critical memory safety vulnerability.