CVE-2020-11216 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Buffer over read can happen in video driver when playing clip with atomsize having value UINT32_MAX in various Qualcomm Snapdragon products.

Understanding CVE-2020-11216

This CVE describes a vulnerability that could lead to a buffer over read in the video driver of multiple Qualcomm Snapdragon devices.

What is CVE-2020-11216?

The vulnerability involves a buffer over read that occurs when playing a video clip with an atomsize value of UINT32_MAX in Snapdragon Auto, Compute, Connectivity, Consumer IOT, Industrial IOT, Mobile, Voice & Music, and Wearables.

The Impact of CVE-2020-11216

The vulnerability could potentially allow an attacker to exploit the video driver, leading to a buffer over read situation, which may result in unauthorized access or system crashes.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-11216

This section provides more technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability is categorized as an Integer Overflow to Buffer Overflow in Video, indicating a specific type of security issue related to video processing.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: Qualcomm, Inc.
Affected Products: Snapdragon Auto, Compute, Connectivity, Consumer IOT, Industrial IOT, Mobile, Voice & Music, Wearables
Affected Versions: APQ8009, APQ8009W, APQ8017, and many more (extensive list provided by Qualcomm)

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by playing a video clip with a specific atomsize value, triggering the buffer over read in the video driver.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-11216 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply patches and updates provided by Qualcomm promptly.
Monitor official sources for security advisories and bulletins.
Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all software and firmware on affected devices.
Conduct security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address vulnerabilities proactively.
Educate users and administrators about safe video playback practices and potential risks.

Patching and Updates

Qualcomm has released patches and updates to address the vulnerability. Ensure timely installation of these updates to mitigate the risk of exploitation.