CVE-2023-21662 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This CVE, published by Qualcomm, highlights a memory corruption vulnerability in Core Platform that occurs while printing the response buffer in the log.

Understanding CVE-2023-21662

This vulnerability in the Qualcomm Snapdragon products potentially allows an attacker to exploit a classic buffer overflow scenario.

What is CVE-2023-21662?

CVE-2023-21662 involves a buffer copy operation in Core Platform that fails to properly check the size of the input, leading to memory corruption issues. This vulnerability poses a significant risk due to its potential impact on the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected systems.

The Impact of CVE-2023-21662

The CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.8 categorizes this vulnerability as high severity. With a low attack complexity and vector being local, the vulnerability can have a substantial impact on affected systems' confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The privileges required for exploitation are low, making it easier for threat actors to target the vulnerability.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-21662

This section provides detailed insight into the vulnerability, including its description, affected systems, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability involves memory corruption in the Core Platform when printing the response buffer in the log. This can be exploited through a buffer copy operation without correctly validating the input size, leading to potential buffer overflow conditions.

Affected Systems and Versions

Qualcomm Snapdragon products utilizing various versions such as AQT1000, AR8035, FSM10056, and numerous others are impacted by this vulnerability. The affected platforms include Snapdragon Auto, Compute, Consumer IOT, Industrial IOT, Mobile, and Wired Infrastructure and Networking.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft a specially designed input that exceeds the buffer's allocated size. By sending this malicious input to the affected systems, an attacker can overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system crashes.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-21662, it is crucial to implement immediate steps, long-term security practices, and apply necessary patches and updates.

Immediate Steps to Take

Organizations should assess the impact of the vulnerability on their Qualcomm Snapdragon devices.
Implement temporary mitigations to reduce the risk of exploitation until a permanent solution is available.
Monitor network traffic and system logs for any signs of unauthorized access or malicious activity.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all Qualcomm Snapdragon devices to address known vulnerabilities and enhance overall security.
Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify and remediate potential weaknesses in the system.
Educate employees on best practices for cybersecurity and encourage reporting of any suspicious activities or vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Qualcomm has likely released security bulletins and updates to address CVE-2023-21662. It is advisable to promptly apply these patches to mitigate the risk associated with the vulnerability.
Keep track of security advisories and notifications from Qualcomm to stay informed about the latest patches and updates for your devices.