CVE-2019-14021 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A buffer overrun vulnerability in various Qualcomm Snapdragon platforms could allow attackers to exploit the EFS filename and payload processing.

Understanding CVE-2019-14021

This CVE involves a potential buffer overrun risk in Snapdragon platforms due to inadequate checks on filename length and payload size.

What is CVE-2019-14021?

This vulnerability arises from processing EFS filename and payload via the diag interface without proper length and size validation.

The Impact of CVE-2019-14021

The vulnerability affects a wide range of Snapdragon platforms, potentially enabling attackers to execute malicious activities through buffer overrun.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-14021

The technical aspects of this CVE provide insights into the vulnerability's description, affected systems, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability stems from a lack of validation for the length of filenames and payload sizes received through the diag interface on various Snapdragon platforms.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected systems include Snapdragon Auto, Compute, Consumer IOT, Industrial IOT, Mobile, and Wearables.
Versions impacted range from APQ8096AU to SXR1130.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted EFS filenames and payloads through the diag interface, triggering buffer overruns.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-14021 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply patches and updates provided by Qualcomm promptly.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activities that could indicate exploitation attempts.
Implement strict access controls to limit exposure to vulnerable systems.

Long-Term Security Practices

Conduct regular security assessments and audits to identify and address potential vulnerabilities.
Educate users and IT staff on secure coding practices and the importance of validating input data.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security bulletins and updates from Qualcomm to address CVE-2019-14021 promptly.