CVE-2023-33035 in AR8035
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
Memory corruption while invoking callback function of AFE from ADSP.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-33035 represents a critical memory corruption issue that occurs during the execution of callback functions within the Audio Front End AFE component of the ADSP subsystem. This flaw manifests when the system invokes callback functions associated with audio processing operations, creating a potential pathway for malicious actors to manipulate memory structures and potentially execute arbitrary code. The issue stems from improper handling of memory references during callback execution, specifically within the audio processing pipeline where data flows between different system components.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a memory corruption condition that arises from insufficient bounds checking and improper memory management during callback function invocation. When the ADSP subsystem processes audio data through the AFE component, it relies on callback mechanisms to notify other system components of processing completion or error conditions. The flaw occurs when these callbacks attempt to access memory locations that have either been freed, reallocated, or improperly validated, leading to potential buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or other memory corruption patterns that can be exploited by attackers. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-125, which covers out-of-bounds read errors that can result in memory corruption.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-33035 extends beyond simple system instability, presenting significant security risks to devices running affected audio processing firmware. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability could potentially gain unauthorized access to system resources, escalate privileges, or cause denial of service conditions that disrupt audio functionality and potentially compromise the broader system security posture. The attack surface is particularly concerning in mobile devices, embedded systems, and IoT devices where audio processing is integral to device operation and where such vulnerabilities can be leveraged for more extensive system compromise. This vulnerability affects the fundamental audio processing capabilities of affected devices, making it particularly dangerous in environments where audio functionality is critical to device operation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate firmware updates from device manufacturers and system vendors to address the underlying memory handling issues within the AFE callback mechanisms. System administrators should implement comprehensive monitoring of audio processing operations and establish anomaly detection measures to identify potential exploitation attempts. The implementation of memory safety features such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and heap metadata validation can provide additional protection layers against exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit potential lateral movement if exploitation occurs. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust memory management practices in embedded systems and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as exploitation may involve manipulating audio processing callbacks to execute malicious code within the system. Regular security assessments and code reviews focusing on callback function implementations, particularly in audio processing subsystems, are essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future system deployments.