CVE-2021-35116 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability in Qualcomm products could allow an attacker to compromise data integrity and confidentiality.

Understanding CVE-2021-35116

This CVE impacts a wide range of Qualcomm products, potentially leading to a compromise of Critical Data Security Processor (CDSP) data.

What is CVE-2021-35116?

APK can load a crafted model into the CDSP, compromising CDSP and other APKs' data in various Qualcomm product lines.

The Impact of CVE-2021-35116

The vulnerability poses a high severity risk with confidentiality and integrity impacts, requiring attention to prevent exploitation.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-35116

The vulnerability results from improper input validation in neural networks, affecting multiple Qualcomm Snapdragon products and versions.

Vulnerability Description

A crafted model loaded via APK can compromise CDSP data integrity, potentially leading to broader data access within affected products.

Affected Systems and Versions

Qualcomm Snapdragon Auto, Compute, Connectivity, Consumer IOT, Industrial IOT, Mobile, and Wearables using various versions are susceptible to this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attack complexity is low with local vector execution, requiring no special privileges but potentially leading to high confidentiality and integrity impacts.

Mitigation and Prevention

Addressing CVE-2021-35116 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices to mitigate risks effectively.

Immediate Steps to Take

Ensure systems using affected Qualcomm products are updated with the necessary patches and security measures.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement robust security protocols, regular vulnerability assessments, and threat monitoring to prevent similar exploits in the future.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security bulletins and updates from Qualcomm to deploy patches promptly, enhancing overall system security.