CVE-2023-21646 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE record discusses a Transient Denial of Service (DOS) vulnerability in the modem while processing an invalid System Information Block 1.

Understanding CVE-2023-21646

CVE-2023-21646 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Qualcomm's Snapdragon series across various platforms like Snapdragon Auto, Compute, Industrial IOT, and Mobile.

What is CVE-2023-21646?

The vulnerability involves a Reachable Assertion in the modem when handling invalid System Information Block 1. This issue could potentially lead to a denial of service condition with a high impact on availability.

The Impact of CVE-2023-21646

With a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.5 (High), the vulnerability has a low attack complexity but a high impact on availability. It does not require any special privileges or user interaction to exploit, making it a critical issue to address.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-21646

This section outlines specific technical details related to the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from a Reachable Assertion in the modem while processing invalid System Information Block 1 packets, leading to a transient Denial of Service (DOS) condition.

Affected Systems and Versions

Qualcomm's Snapdragon series is impacted by this vulnerability, with several versions such as AR8035, QCA6390, QCA6391, QCA6574A, and many others being affected.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by sending crafted packets containing invalid System Information Block 1 data to the modem, triggering the Reachable Assertion issue.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-21646, proactive measures need to be implemented to mitigate the potential risks associated with this vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Network administrators and users should apply security patches provided by Qualcomm to address the vulnerability promptly.
Implement network-level controls to filter out potentially malicious traffic targeting the modem.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor security bulletins and updates from Qualcomm to stay informed about potential security risks.
Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address vulnerabilities proactively.

Patching and Updates

Qualcomm has released a security bulletin in September 2023 addressing the CVE-2023-21646 vulnerability. It is crucial for affected users to apply the provided patches to secure their systems against potential exploitation of this issue.