CVE-2023-43528 in Snapdragon
Summary
by MITRE • 05/06/2024
Information disclosure when the ADSP payload size received in HLOS in response to Audio Stream Manager matrix session is less than this expected size.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/01/2025
This vulnerability represents an information disclosure weakness in the Audio Stream Manager matrix session handling mechanism within the Android Debug Secure Processor (ADSP) environment. The issue manifests when the Host Linux Operating System (HLOS) receives an ADSP payload that is smaller than the expected size during audio stream management operations. This discrepancy creates a potential information leakage scenario where sensitive data may be inadvertently exposed through the malformed payload handling process. The vulnerability specifically impacts systems utilizing the Qualcomm Snapdragon platform where the ADSP and HLOS components interact through the Audio Stream Manager matrix session protocol. The root cause lies in insufficient validation of payload size parameters during the session establishment and data transfer phases, allowing for improper state handling when size mismatches occur. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-200 Information Exposure, where the system unintentionally reveals information that could be exploited by malicious actors. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this under T1552 Unsecured Credentials and T1005 Data from Local System, as it involves exposure of internal system information through improper handling of audio stream data. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in mobile environments where audio processing is critical for communication and multimedia applications.
The technical flaw stems from the lack of proper bounds checking and validation mechanisms within the Audio Stream Manager matrix session implementation. When HLOS receives an ADSP payload with insufficient data, the system fails to properly sanitize or reject the incomplete data structure, potentially leading to information leakage through memory contents or internal state data that may be exposed during the processing of the malformed payload. The system's handling of size validation appears to be inadequate, as it does not implement robust checks to ensure that the payload meets the expected size requirements before proceeding with data processing operations. This creates a condition where the system may attempt to parse or utilize incomplete data structures, potentially exposing uninitialized memory contents, stack data, or other sensitive information that should remain protected. The vulnerability is particularly problematic because it occurs during legitimate audio stream management operations, making it difficult to distinguish between normal operation and malicious exploitation attempts. The issue is exacerbated by the fact that the system's error handling mechanism does not properly isolate or contain the information leakage that occurs when processing size-mismatched payloads.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can potentially enable attackers to gain insights into the system's internal audio processing mechanisms and memory layout. An attacker who can manipulate or observe the audio stream session establishment process may be able to extract sensitive information about the system configuration, audio processing parameters, or even cryptographic keys used in the audio pipeline. This information leakage could be leveraged to facilitate more sophisticated attacks targeting the audio subsystem or other related components. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe in enterprise and mobile device environments where audio processing is integral to secure communication channels and multimedia applications. The information disclosed through this vulnerability could include system memory addresses, internal audio processing parameters, or other data that could aid in developing more targeted attacks against the device. Additionally, the vulnerability may affect the integrity of audio stream processing, potentially allowing for manipulation of audio data or disruption of legitimate audio services. The exposure of internal system information through this channel represents a significant security risk that could compromise the overall security posture of devices utilizing affected audio processing stacks.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing robust payload size validation and bounds checking mechanisms within the Audio Stream Manager matrix session handling code. The system should enforce strict validation of payload sizes before processing any audio stream data, ensuring that all received data meets the expected size parameters. Implementing proper error handling and data sanitization procedures when size mismatches occur can prevent information leakage through malformed payload processing. Security patches should include enhanced input validation routines that reject payloads with insufficient data rather than attempting to process incomplete information. Additionally, memory protection mechanisms should be strengthened to prevent exposure of uninitialized or sensitive data during error conditions. Organizations should implement monitoring and logging of audio stream session establishment activities to detect potential exploitation attempts. The mitigation approach should align with security best practices for preventing information disclosure vulnerabilities and should include regular security assessments of audio processing components. Updates to the system firmware and software stacks should be prioritized to address this vulnerability, with particular attention to ensuring that all audio processing components properly validate payload integrity before processing. The implementation of these mitigations should follow established security frameworks and principles to ensure comprehensive protection against similar vulnerabilities in the audio subsystem and related components.