CVE-2022-22091 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE • 09/16/2022
Improper authorization of a replayed LTE security mode command can lead to a denial of service 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 • 09/16/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-22091 represents a critical authorization flaw within Qualcomm's Snapdragon automotive and mobile platform implementations that specifically affects LTE security mode command processing. This weakness resides in the improper validation of replayed security mode commands, which allows malicious actors to exploit the authentication mechanism and potentially disrupt normal service operations. The vulnerability impacts a broad range of Snapdragon product lines including automotive systems, mobile devices, industrial IoT solutions, and wearable technology platforms, making it particularly concerning given the widespread deployment of these chips across multiple device categories.
The technical flaw manifests when the LTE security mode command processing logic fails to properly validate the authenticity and freshness of security mode commands that are replayed or resent during communication sessions. This improper authorization mechanism enables attackers to manipulate the security state of the device by replaying previously valid security mode commands, potentially causing the system to enter an inconsistent security state or completely disable security features. The vulnerability stems from inadequate timestamp validation, sequence number checking, or command authentication mechanisms that should prevent replay attacks in the LTE security protocol stack. This issue directly relates to CWE-347, which addresses improper verification of cryptographic signatures, and CWE-348, which covers the use of insecure or weak cryptographic algorithms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple domains of connectivity and security management within affected devices. In automotive applications, this weakness could potentially lead to denial of service conditions that might affect vehicle communication systems, connectivity to telematics services, or even compromise the integrity of security features protecting vehicle systems. For mobile and wearable devices, the vulnerability could result in service disruption, loss of secure communication capabilities, or complete denial of service during critical communication sessions. The risk is particularly elevated in industrial IoT deployments where continuous connectivity and security are paramount for operational integrity and safety systems. The vulnerability enables attackers to exploit the security mode command processing without requiring elevated privileges or complex attack vectors, making it accessible to threat actors with moderate technical capabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-22091 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from device manufacturers and Qualcomm, as these patches will contain the necessary fixes to properly validate replayed security mode commands. Organizations should implement network monitoring to detect anomalous security mode command patterns and establish intrusion detection systems that can identify potential replay attack attempts. Device administrators should consider implementing additional authentication layers and monitoring mechanisms to detect unauthorized security mode changes. The mitigation approach should align with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers credential harvesting through various attack vectors, and T1499, which addresses network disruption and denial of service attacks. Regular security assessments should verify that the updated systems properly handle security mode command validation and that replay protection mechanisms are functioning correctly. Given the widespread nature of affected Snapdragon platforms, coordinated patch management across all deployed devices is essential to prevent exploitation and maintain system integrity.