CVE-2023-43524 in Snapdragon
Summary
by MITRE • 05/06/2024
Memory corruption when the bandpass filter order received from AHAL is not within the expected range.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/16/2025
This vulnerability resides in the audio hardware abstraction layer where improper validation of bandpass filter parameters leads to memory corruption issues. The flaw occurs when the system receives filter order values from the audio hardware abstraction layer that fall outside the expected parameter ranges, creating potential for arbitrary code execution or system instability. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the audio processing pipeline, particularly in how the system handles filter configuration data. When malformed filter order values are processed, the memory management routines fail to properly handle the unexpected data, resulting in buffer overflows or underflows that can corrupt adjacent memory regions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic weakness in software validation practices where the system assumes all incoming data from hardware components adheres to predetermined specifications. The audio hardware abstraction layer serves as an intermediary between hardware-specific audio processing and the operating system's audio subsystem, making it a critical point of potential compromise. When the bandpass filter order parameter exceeds the acceptable bounds, the memory allocation and processing functions within the audio driver fail to properly sanitize or reject the invalid input, leading to unpredictable behavior. This type of vulnerability typically maps to CWE-129 Input Validation and CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write, representing both insufficient validation and memory corruption issues.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple audio processing failures, as it can potentially enable privilege escalation attacks or system compromise. An attacker who can manipulate the audio hardware abstraction layer to send malformed filter order values could theoretically execute arbitrary code within the kernel context of the audio subsystem. This represents a significant security risk in environments where audio processing is critical, such as enterprise systems, embedded devices, or real-time communication platforms. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as it provides a potential entry point for attackers to gain elevated system privileges.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing robust input validation mechanisms at the audio hardware abstraction layer, ensuring all filter parameters are strictly validated against expected ranges before processing. The system should incorporate bounds checking and error handling routines that gracefully reject invalid filter order values rather than attempting to process them. Additionally, memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and data execution prevention should be enabled to limit the impact of any successful exploitation attempts. Regular firmware updates and patch management protocols are essential to address this vulnerability in deployed systems, particularly in environments where audio hardware abstraction layers are frequently updated or modified. Security monitoring should include detection of anomalous audio processing patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.