CVE-2021-1949 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

Possible integer overflow due to improper check of batch count value while sanitizer is enabled in multiple Qualcomm Snapdragon products.

Understanding CVE-2021-1949

This CVE pertains to a potential integer overflow vulnerability in various Qualcomm Snapdragon products affecting a wide range of applications.

What is CVE-2021-1949?

The CVE-2021-1949 vulnerability is characterized by a possible integer overflow due to the improper check of batch count value while sanitizer is enabled in Snapdragon Auto, Snapdragon Compute, Snapdragon Connectivity, and other similar product lines.

The Impact of CVE-2021-1949

The impact of this vulnerability is rated as high, with a CVSS base score of 8.4. The confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected systems are all at risk, emphasizing the severity of this issue.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-1949

This section dives into the technical aspects of the CVE, providing details on the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises due to an improper check of the batch count value, leading to a potential integer overflow scenario that could be exploited by threat actors.

Affected Systems and Versions

Multiple Qualcomm Snapdragon products across various domains such as Auto, Connectivity, Consumer IOT, Industrial IOT, Voice & Music, and Wearables are impacted by this vulnerability. A detailed list of affected versions is available on the Qualcomm security bulletin.

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploitation of this vulnerability involves triggering the integer overflow by manipulating the batch count value when the sanitizer is enabled, potentially leading to security breaches and system compromise.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2021-1949, immediate steps, long-term security practices, and the importance of timely patching and updates are crucial.

Immediate Steps to Take

Organizations and users should implement vendor-recommended mitigation strategies and security controls specific to the affected Qualcomm products to reduce the risk of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

In the long term, maintaining secure coding practices, conducting regular security assessments, and staying informed about vendor security bulletins are essential for enhancing overall cybersecurity posture.

Patching and Updates

Regularly updating software and firmware with the latest patches and fixes provided by Qualcomm is imperative to mitigate the CVE-2021-1949 vulnerability and ensure the ongoing security of the affected systems and devices.