CVE-2023-28548 in AQT1000
Summary
by MITRE • 09/05/2023
Memory corruption in WLAN HAL while processing Tx/Rx commands from QDART.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw within the Wireless Local Area Network Hardware Abstraction Layer implementation that processes transmission and reception commands originating from the Qualcomm Data Application Radio Technology. The issue manifests when the WLAN HAL component handles malformed or improperly structured commands sent through the QDART interface, leading to unpredictable memory state modifications that can result in arbitrary code execution or system instability.
The technical root cause stems from insufficient input validation and memory management within the WLAN HAL subsystem where incoming Tx/Rx commands are processed without adequate boundary checking or sanitization routines. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of Stack-based Buffer Overflow, though it may also exhibit characteristics of heap corruption when dealing with dynamic memory allocations during command processing. The flaw exists in the Qualcomm proprietary HAL implementation that interfaces between the operating system and wireless hardware components, making it particularly challenging to patch due to its integration depth within the mobile platform architecture.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system crashes or hangs, as it provides potential attackers with pathways for privilege escalation and persistent system compromise. When successfully exploited, an attacker could execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges typically reserved for system-level components, potentially enabling complete device takeover. The vulnerability affects devices running Qualcomm Snapdragon processors where the WLAN HAL is implemented, including smartphones, tablets, and IoT devices that utilize Qualcomm wireless chipsets. This creates a widespread attack surface across multiple device categories and operating systems that depend on Qualcomm's proprietary wireless stack implementations.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate firmware updates from device manufacturers, though these patches may be delayed due to the complexity of the HAL layer integration. Network-level defenses such as monitoring for anomalous command sequences and implementing rate limiting on wireless management frames can provide temporary protection. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter in the context of mobile exploitation, while also supporting lateral movement through privilege escalation techniques. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring of wireless subsystem behavior and establish incident response procedures specifically addressing wireless stack compromises. Additionally, device manufacturers should consider implementing additional runtime protections such as memory protection units or control flow integrity mechanisms to prevent exploitation even when input validation fails.
The vulnerability demonstrates the inherent risks associated with complex hardware abstraction layers that must maintain compatibility across multiple software versions while providing secure interfaces for system-level operations. It highlights the need for more robust security testing of proprietary HAL implementations and emphasizes the importance of treating wireless subsystems as critical attack surfaces requiring continuous security assessment and monitoring.