CVE-2020-3696 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A use-after-free vulnerability affecting multiple Qualcomm Snapdragon products and versions.

Understanding CVE-2020-3696

This CVE involves a security issue in Qualcomm Snapdragon products that could lead to potential exploitation.

What is CVE-2020-3696?

The vulnerability arises during the installation of a new security rule in ipcrtr, where the old rule may still be in use, impacting security permissions for specific processes.

The Impact of CVE-2020-3696

The vulnerability could allow malicious actors to exploit the affected systems, compromising security and potentially leading to unauthorized access or control.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-3696

Qualcomm Snapdragon products are susceptible to a use-after-free issue in the WLAN host component.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability occurs when installing a new security rule while the old one is deleted, potentially allowing unauthorized access to processes.

Affected Systems and Versions

Products: Snapdragon Auto, Consumer IOT, Industrial IOT, Mobile, Voice & Music, Wearables, Wired Infrastructure, Networking
Versions: APQ8009, APQ8017, APQ8053, APQ8096AU, APQ8098, IPQ4019, IPQ6018, IPQ8064, IPQ8074, MDM9206, MDM9207C, MDM9607, MSM8905, MSM8909W, MSM8996AU, QCA4531, QCA6574AU, QCA9531, QCM2150, QCS605, SDM429W, SDX20, SDX24

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability could be exploited by attackers to manipulate security permissions and gain unauthorized access to processes.

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to address and prevent the CVE-2020-3696 vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches provided by Qualcomm promptly.
Monitor for any unusual system behavior that could indicate exploitation.
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 audits to identify and address vulnerabilities proactively.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security bulletins and updates from Qualcomm.
Ensure timely installation of patches to mitigate the risk of exploitation.