CVE-2020-11198 : Security Advisory and Response

Key material used for TZ diag buffer encryption and other data related to log buffer is not wiped securely due to improper usage of memset in various Qualcomm Snapdragon products.

Understanding CVE-2020-11198

This CVE involves information exposure in Qualcomm Trusted Execution Environment (QTEE) in multiple Snapdragon product lines.

What is CVE-2020-11198?

The vulnerability arises from the improper usage of memset, leading to insecure wiping of key material used for encryption and other sensitive data in log buffers.

The Impact of CVE-2020-11198

The vulnerability could allow unauthorized access to sensitive information stored in the log buffer, potentially leading to data breaches and privacy violations.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-11198

This section provides more in-depth technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The issue stems from the insecure wiping of key material in the TZ diag buffer encryption process due to improper memset usage.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected products include Snapdragon Auto, Compute, Connectivity, Consumer IOT, Industrial IOT, Mobile, Voice & Music, Wired Infrastructure, and Networking.
Numerous versions across these product lines are impacted by the vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data by leveraging the insecure wiping of key material in log buffers.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2020-11198, follow these mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply patches and updates provided by Qualcomm promptly.
Monitor for any unauthorized access or abnormal activities on affected devices.
Implement strict access controls to limit exposure of sensitive information.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update firmware and software to ensure the latest security fixes are in place.
Conduct security audits and assessments to identify and address potential vulnerabilities proactively.

Patching and Updates

Qualcomm has released patches to address the vulnerability; ensure all affected devices are updated with the latest firmware and software versions.