CVE-2019-14116 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2019-14116, a privilege escalation vulnerability in Qualcomm's IPQ6018 chipset affecting multiple Snapdragon products. Find mitigation steps and long-term security practices here.
A privilege escalation vulnerability exists in Qualcomm's IPQ6018 chipset used in various Snapdragon products, allowing attackers to escalate privileges by exploiting a disabled XPU during the crash dump boot process.
Understanding CVE-2019-14116
This CVE identifies a security issue in Qualcomm's IPQ6018 chipset affecting multiple Snapdragon product lines.
What is CVE-2019-14116?
The vulnerability arises from the XPU being disabled during the crash dump boot process, enabling attackers to leverage a modified debug policy image for privilege escalation.
The Impact of CVE-2019-14116
The vulnerability can lead to unauthorized privilege escalation, potentially compromising the security of affected devices and systems.
Technical Details of CVE-2019-14116
Qualcomm's IPQ6018 chipset in various Snapdragon products is susceptible to this privilege escalation vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The XPU, responsible for safeguarding debug policy regions, is inactive during the crash dump boot process, creating an opportunity for privilege escalation through a tampered debug policy image.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Affected Products: Snapdragon Auto, Snapdragon Compute, Snapdragon Connectivity, Snapdragon Consumer IOT, Snapdragon Industrial IOT, Snapdragon Mobile, Snapdragon Voice & Music, Snapdragon Wired Infrastructure and Networking
- Affected Version: IPQ6018
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers can exploit the disabled XPU during the crash dump boot process to escalate privileges by utilizing a modified debug policy image.
Mitigation and Prevention
To address CVE-2019-14116, immediate actions and long-term security practices are recommended.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply patches or updates provided by Qualcomm to mitigate the vulnerability.
- Monitor official sources for security advisories and follow best practices for secure device management.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Implement robust access control mechanisms and regularly review and update security policies.
- Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address potential vulnerabilities.
Patching and Updates
- Stay informed about security bulletins and updates from Qualcomm to ensure timely patching of vulnerabilities.