CVE-2022-25690 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE • 09/16/2022
Information disclosure in WLAN due to improper validation of array index while parsing crafted ANQP action frames in Snapdragon Auto, Snapdragon Compute, Snapdragon Connectivity, Snapdragon Consumer Electronics Connectivity, Snapdragon Consumer IOT, Snapdragon Industrial IOT, Snapdragon Mobile, Snapdragon Voice & Music
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/16/2022
This vulnerability represents a critical information disclosure flaw affecting multiple Qualcomm Snapdragon product lines including automotive, connectivity, mobile, and IoT devices. The issue stems from improper validation of array indices during the parsing of ANQP action frames within the wireless local area network subsystem. ANQP or Access Network Query Protocol frames are essential components in wireless networking that facilitate communication between wireless devices and access points for network information exchange. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the system processes crafted malicious ANQP action frames that contain malformed array indices, leading to potential memory corruption and unauthorized data exposure.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the wireless networking stack's failure to properly validate array bounds when processing received ANQP frames. When a maliciously crafted frame is transmitted to a vulnerable device, the parsing logic attempts to access memory locations beyond the allocated array boundaries, potentially causing information leakage from adjacent memory regions. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-129 category of Improper Validation of Array Index, which is a well-documented weakness in software security practices. The improper validation occurs at the wireless protocol parsing layer where the system fails to implement proper input sanitization checks before accessing array elements, creating a pathway for information disclosure attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple device categories including automotive systems, mobile devices, industrial IoT deployments, and consumer electronics. Attackers could exploit this weakness by transmitting specially crafted ANQP frames to target devices within wireless range, potentially extracting sensitive information such as network credentials, device identifiers, or other confidential data stored in memory. The vulnerability affects Snapdragon Auto products which could compromise vehicle communication systems, while Snapdragon Mobile and Voice & Music devices pose risks to personal data exposure. The widespread nature of affected product lines means that numerous devices across different sectors could be impacted, making this a particularly concerning vulnerability for enterprise and consumer security.
From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566.001 for Phishing with Social Engineering. The exploitation requires minimal privileges and can be executed remotely through wireless frames, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments. The attack chain typically involves crafting malicious ANQP frames that trigger the vulnerable parsing code, followed by information extraction from the resulting memory access violations. Mitigation strategies should include firmware updates from device manufacturers, network segmentation to limit wireless frame exposure, and implementation of wireless intrusion detection systems to monitor for anomalous ANQP frame patterns. Additionally, organizations should consider deploying network access control measures and regular security assessments of wireless infrastructure to reduce the attack surface and prevent exploitation of this information disclosure vulnerability.