CVE-2024-21473 in Snapdragon
Summary
by MITRE • 04/01/2024
Memory corruption while redirecting log file to any file location with any file name.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-21473 represents a critical memory corruption issue that occurs when a system attempts to redirect log file output to any arbitrary file location with any file name. This flaw exists within the logging subsystem of affected software components and demonstrates a fundamental weakness in input validation and file handling mechanisms. The vulnerability manifests when the application processes user-supplied file paths or names without adequate sanitization, leading to potential memory corruption through buffer overflows, heap corruption, or other memory management errors. Such issues typically arise from improper bounds checking during file path manipulation or when the system fails to validate the integrity of file destination parameters. The memory corruption can occur at various points in the execution flow, particularly when the system attempts to allocate memory for file operations or when it processes file names containing special characters, directory traversal sequences, or other malformed input patterns.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the lack of proper input validation controls that should normally prevent dangerous file path manipulation attempts. Attackers can craft malicious file names or paths that trigger memory corruption during the log redirection process, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system instability. This type of vulnerability falls under the broader category of memory safety issues and can be classified as a CWE-121 buffer overflow or related memory corruption weakness according to the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it involves the fundamental logging operations that are present in virtually all software systems, making the vulnerability pervasive across different applications and platforms. The flaw can be triggered through various means including direct user input, configuration file manipulation, or even network-based inputs that eventually result in log file redirection operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-21473 extends beyond simple system crashes or instability, as it can potentially enable more sophisticated attacks within the targeted environment. When exploited successfully, this vulnerability may allow attackers to achieve privilege escalation, execute arbitrary code, or cause denial of service conditions that can severely disrupt business operations. The memory corruption can manifest in different ways including stack corruption, heap corruption, or use-after-free conditions that can be leveraged by attackers to gain unauthorized access to system resources. In enterprise environments, this vulnerability poses significant risk to log management systems, security information and event management tools, and any application that relies on proper logging functionality for operational monitoring and security auditing. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that logging is a critical system function that often runs with elevated privileges, making successful exploitation potentially devastating to system integrity and security posture.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-21473 should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization controls for all file path and name parameters within logging subsystems. Organizations should enforce strict file path validation that prevents directory traversal attacks, removes or escapes special characters, and validates file names against established safe character sets. The implementation of secure coding practices including bounds checking, memory allocation validation, and proper error handling should be prioritized across all affected software components. Additionally, system administrators should implement monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous logging behavior or file access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security patches and updates from software vendors should be applied immediately upon availability, as this vulnerability is likely to be actively exploited in the wild given its potential for code execution. The remediation process should also include comprehensive code reviews and security testing focused on file handling operations, particularly those involving log redirection functionality. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, while also maintaining detailed audit logs to detect and respond to any suspicious activities related to log file operations.