CVE-2021-35122 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE • 09/02/2022
Non-secure region can try modifying RG permissions of IO space xPUs due to improper input validation in Snapdragon Auto, Snapdragon Compute, Snapdragon Connectivity, Snapdragon Consumer IOT, Snapdragon Industrial IOT, Snapdragon Mobile, Snapdragon Wearables
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/11/2022
This vulnerability resides in the Qualcomm Snapdragon automotive and mobile platform ecosystems where improper input validation allows unauthorized modification of register group permissions within IO space xPUs. The flaw exists across multiple Snapdragon product lines including automotive systems, compute platforms, connectivity solutions, consumer IoT devices, industrial IoT applications, mobile processors, and wearable technology. The technical implementation permits non-secure regions to manipulate register group permissions that should remain protected within secure execution contexts, creating a privilege escalation vector that undermines the fundamental security boundaries of these heterogeneous computing platforms. This vulnerability specifically targets the memory protection mechanisms that govern how different execution domains interact with hardware resources, particularly affecting the IO space xPU components that manage peripheral access and memory mapping functions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple security domains and attack vectors as defined by the ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation and defense evasion techniques. An attacker exploiting this weakness could potentially gain elevated privileges within the system's memory management subsystem, allowing them to modify hardware register permissions that control access to critical IO resources. This creates opportunities for persistent backdoors, data exfiltration, and system compromise that could affect automotive safety systems, mobile device functionality, and IoT device integrity. The vulnerability's presence across multiple Snapdragon product categories means that the attack surface spans from consumer mobile devices to industrial automation systems, making it particularly concerning for organizations maintaining security postures across diverse hardware platforms. The issue manifests through improper validation of input parameters that control register group access permissions, allowing malicious code in non-secure execution contexts to manipulate secure memory mappings.
Security implications of CVE-2021-35122 align with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation as a fundamental weakness in software security that allows attackers to manipulate system behavior through malformed inputs. The vulnerability directly impacts the integrity of the hardware security model by enabling unauthorized modifications to memory protection mechanisms, potentially allowing attackers to bypass secure execution environments and access privileged system resources. Organizations deploying affected Snapdragon platforms must consider the implications for automotive cybersecurity frameworks, mobile device security, and IoT security protocols that rely on proper hardware isolation. The vulnerability's exploitation could enable attackers to modify system firmware, manipulate peripheral device access, or establish persistent access points within the device's secure execution environment. Mitigation strategies should include firmware updates from Qualcomm, implementation of additional software-based access controls, and enhanced monitoring of register group permission changes within the system's memory management subsystem. The security community should treat this vulnerability as a critical concern for automotive cybersecurity standards and mobile device security frameworks, particularly in environments where hardware-level security is paramount for system integrity and safety.