CVE-2023-33117 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This article provides an overview of CVE-2023-33117, a memory corruption vulnerability impacting Qualcomm Snapdragon products.

Understanding CVE-2023-33117

CVE-2023-33117 involves memory corruption when the High-Level Operating System (HLOS) allocates the response payload buffer to copy data received from the Audio Digital Signal Processor (ADSP) in response to the AVCS_LOAD_MODULE command.

What is CVE-2023-33117?

The vulnerability allows for memory corruption due to improper handling of data transfer between the HLOS and ADSP, posing a high risk to confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected systems.

The Impact of CVE-2023-33117

With a CVSS base score of 7.8, CVE-2023-33117 has a high severity rating. It can be exploited locally, requiring low privileges, but can have a significant impact on system operations and user data.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-33117

The vulnerability affects a wide range of Qualcomm Snapdragon products, including Snapdragon Auto, Snapdragon Compute, Snapdragon Mobile, and more. Affected versions include AR8035, FastConnect 6200, Snapdragon 865 5G, and many others.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from improper memory allocation by HLOS during data transfer operations with the ADSP, leading to potential memory corruption and exploitation by malicious actors.

Affected Systems and Versions

Numerous Snapdragon products and versions are affected, impacting various platforms such as Mobile, Wearables, Auto, and Compute. Vulnerable versions range from QCA6174A to QCS8550 and include multiple Mobile and Modem platforms.

Exploitation Mechanism

This vulnerability can be exploited by triggering the memory corruption issue through specially crafted AVCS_LOAD_MODULE commands, allowing attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code on the affected systems.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-33117, immediate action is necessary to secure vulnerable Qualcomm products and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users and administrators should apply patches and updates provided by Qualcomm to address the memory corruption vulnerability promptly. Implementing security best practices and network segmentation can also help reduce the attack surface.

Long-Term Security Practices

Maintaining regular security updates, conducting security assessments, and monitoring for any suspicious activities are crucial for ensuring the ongoing protection of Qualcomm Snapdragon devices against memory corruption vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Qualcomm has released security bulletins and patches to address CVE-2023-33117. Users are advised to follow the recommendations outlined in the January 2024 bulletin to secure their devices against potential exploits.