CVE-2021-1916 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This article provides an overview of CVE-2021-1916, a critical vulnerability affecting multiple Qualcomm products.

Understanding CVE-2021-1916

CVE-2021-1916 is a possible buffer underflow vulnerability due to the lack of check for negative indices values when processing user-provided input in various Qualcomm products.

What is CVE-2021-1916?

The vulnerability in CVE-2021-1916 stems from a buffer underflow issue in Snapdragon Auto, Snapdragon Compute, Snapdragon Connectivity, and other Qualcomm product lines. It could be exploited by attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service.

The Impact of CVE-2021-1916

With a CVSS base score of 9.8, CVE-2021-1916 is considered critical. The vulnerability poses a high risk to confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected systems without requiring any special privileges for exploitation.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-1916

CVE-2021-1916 is classified as an Integer Overflow to Buffer Overflow vulnerability in the Data Modem of the affected Qualcomm products.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises due to processing user input without proper validation for negative indices, leading to a buffer underflow condition that can be exploited maliciously.

Affected Systems and Versions

Multiple products across Snapdragon Auto, Compute, Connectivity, and Wearables lines are impacted by CVE-2021-1916, running various versions of Qualcomm chipsets.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can leverage the lack of index value validation to manipulate user input data, triggering buffer underflow and potentially executing unauthorized code or disrupting service.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-1916, immediate actions and long-term security practices are crucial.

Immediate Steps to Take

Organizations are advised to apply security patches provided by Qualcomm promptly, monitor for any unusual activities, and restrict access to vulnerable systems.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing robust input validation mechanisms, conducting regular security assessments, and staying informed about security updates are essential for long-term system security.

Patching and Updates

Regularly update the software and firmware of affected products to ensure the latest security patches from Qualcomm are in place, addressing the CVE-2021-1916 vulnerability.