CVE-2022-40508 : Security Advisory and Response

A transient denial-of-service vulnerability has been identified in Qualcomm Snapdragon products, leading to DOS due to a reachable assertion in the Modem component while processing configuration related to cross-carrier scheduling. This assertion occurs in scenarios where cross-carrier scheduling is not supported, impacting the availability of the system.

Understanding CVE-2022-40508

This CVE affects various Qualcomm Snapdragon products, causing a denial-of-service condition under specific circumstances.

What is CVE-2022-40508?

The vulnerability in CVE-2022-40508 is characterized by a reachable assertion in the Modem component of Qualcomm Snapdragon products. It arises during the processing of configuration related to cross-carrier scheduling, which is not supported by the affected systems.

The Impact of CVE-2022-40508

The impact of CVE-2022-40508 is primarily on the availability of the system, leading to transient denial-of-service conditions under certain scenarios. The vulnerable assertion in the Modem component affects the normal operation of the system when processing unsupported configurations.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-40508

This section delves into the specific technical aspects of the CVE, including the vulnerability description, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability involves a reachable assertion in the Modem component of Qualcomm Snapdragon products during the processing of unsupported cross-carrier scheduling configurations, resulting in denial-of-service conditions.

Affected Systems and Versions

Multiple Qualcomm Snapdragon products are impacted by this vulnerability, including versions of Snapdragon Mobile, Snapdragon Compute, Snapdragon Industrial IOT, and Snapdragon Auto. Noteworthy affected versions include FastConnect, QCA, SDX, SM, and WCD series.

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploitation of this vulnerability involves crafting and sending specific configurations related to cross-carrier scheduling to provoke the vulnerable reachable assertion in the Modem component, triggering denial-of-service conditions.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2022-40508, immediate steps and long-term security practices are essential to safeguard affected systems.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply patches and updates provided by Qualcomm to address the vulnerability promptly.
Monitor system logs for any unusual activities or denial-of-service indicators.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement network segmentation and access controls to minimize exposure to potential attackers.
Regularly update firmware and security solutions to ensure protection against emerging threats.

Patching and Updates

Refer to Qualcomm's official security bulletin for May 2023 to access available patches and updates for the affected products.