CVE-2021-35129 in Snapdragon Compute
Summary
by MITRE • 06/14/2022
Memory corruption in BT controller due to improper length check while processing vendor specific commands in Snapdragon Compute, Snapdragon Connectivity, Snapdragon Consumer Electronics Connectivity, Snapdragon Industrial IOT, Snapdragon Mobile, Snapdragon Wired Infrastructure and Networking
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2022
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption issue affecting multiple Qualcomm Snapdragon product lines including compute, connectivity, consumer electronics connectivity, industrial iot, mobile, and wired infrastructure networking devices. The flaw manifests in the Bluetooth controller's handling of vendor specific commands where inadequate length validation allows for potential buffer overflows or underflows during command processing. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the Bluetooth stack implementation, creating opportunities for malicious actors to manipulate command parameters and trigger memory corruption states that could lead to system instability or arbitrary code execution. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-129 weakness category, specifically addressing improper validation of length parameters during buffer operations. The impact extends across numerous device categories that rely on Snapdragon processors, potentially affecting smartphones, tablets, automotive systems, industrial IoT devices, and networking equipment. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability by crafting specially formatted vendor specific Bluetooth commands that exceed expected parameter lengths, causing the system to write beyond allocated memory boundaries. The operational consequences include potential denial of service conditions, system crashes, or in more severe scenarios, remote code execution capabilities that could allow attackers to compromise device integrity. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.006 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566 for phishing with malicious attachments, as it could enable attackers to establish persistent access through Bluetooth-based attack vectors. The affected Snapdragon product families include Snapdragon Compute platforms used in laptops and desktops, Snapdragon Connectivity solutions for wireless devices, Consumer Electronics Connectivity for multimedia applications, Industrial IOT for manufacturing systems, Mobile platforms for smartphones and tablets, and Wired Infrastructure and Networking for enterprise connectivity solutions. The memory corruption occurs at the controller level within the Bluetooth subsystem, making it particularly dangerous as it operates at a low level in the system architecture where errors can propagate to higher-level applications and system services. The vulnerability requires specific conditions to be exploited successfully, including the ability to establish Bluetooth connections and send vendor specific commands to the targeted device. Mitigation strategies should focus on firmware updates from device manufacturers, implementation of input validation controls, and network segmentation to limit exposure. Organizations should also consider monitoring Bluetooth traffic for anomalous command patterns and implementing device-specific security policies that restrict Bluetooth functionality where possible. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust input validation in embedded systems and highlights the risks associated with complex wireless protocols that require extensive vendor-specific extensions. Security researchers and device manufacturers must collaborate to ensure comprehensive patching across all affected Snapdragon product lines to prevent exploitation and maintain system integrity.