External risk intelligence

Qualcomm Chipsets Use-After-Free Vulnerability

CVE advisoryKnown Exploit

CVE-2021-1905

Qualcomm chipsets are affected by a memory handling vulnerability. This flaw could allow attackers to impact system integrity and confidentiality on affected devices. The business risk is contained as exploitation requires local access to the device.

1Halo Surface Signal

Use After Free

Qualcomm Apq8009 Firmware

External exposure likelihood

Halo Surface Signal score for CVE-2021-1905

This vulnerability affects low-level firmware and internal memory mapping processes within various Qualcomm chipsets. It is a local-only issue requiring access to the device hardware or system-level processes, and it does not involve network-facing protocols or external services.

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

Qualcomm chipsets across various product lines are affected by a memory handling vulnerability. This flaw may allow unauthorized access to and manipulation of system memory. The potential business impact includes compromised data integrity and unauthorized system modifications.

  • Vulnerable Qualcomm firmware components
  • Improper memory mapping during process execution
  • Compromised data and system integrity

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

A use-after-free vulnerability exists in multiple Qualcomm chipsets due to improper handling of memory mapping when multiple processes are active. This can lead to potential system instability or unauthorized access. The attack vector is local, meaning an attacker must have existing access to the affected device or system.

  • Local access required for exposure.
  • Attacker triggers memory error.
  • Control or impact results.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

The identified vulnerability presents a moderate security risk, primarily impacting organizations utilizing specific Qualcomm chipsets. Exploitation requires an attacker with local access and a degree of technical skill to manipulate memory mapping processes. Successful exploitation could lead to significant data corruption or system compromise, affecting the integrity and availability of affected systems. The presence of this vulnerability on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog suggests active interest from malicious actors.

  • Likely attacker skill level: Low to moderate.
  • Required access or conditions: Local access to the device.
  • Business risk or urgency: Moderate; CISA KEV listed.

Priority actions

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

The organization should take immediate action to address a use-after-free vulnerability affecting multiple Qualcomm chipsets. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory mapping between processes, which could allow for unauthorized access and modification of system data. Addressing this issue is crucial for maintaining system integrity and protecting sensitive information.

  • Identify all systems utilizing affected Qualcomm chipsets.
  • Isolate or restrict access to vulnerable systems.
  • Apply vendor-provided security updates and validate their implementation.
  • Monitor system logs for any anomalous activity.

Frequently asked questions

What is the nature of the vulnerability affecting Qualcomm chipsets?

The vulnerability is a use-after-free flaw in multiple Qualcomm chipsets caused by improper handling of memory mapping when multiple processes access it simultaneously. This memory management issue can lead to system instability or potential exploitation.

What weakness class does CVE-2021-1905 fall under?

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-416, which denotes a use-after-free weakness. This type of flaw occurs when a program attempts to access memory after it has been deallocated, potentially leading to crashes or security exploits.

How might this vulnerability be triggered, and what is the scope of its impact?

The vulnerability arises from the improper handling of memory mapping for multiple processes. Since the attack vector is local (AV:L), it requires the attacker to have some level of access to the affected system, rather than being exploitable over a network. The scope is 'Unchanged' (S:U), meaning the vulnerability affects resources managed by the same security authority.

What is the relevance of CVE-2021-1905, and how does it relate to threat advisories?

CVE-2021-1905 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting numerous Qualcomm chipsets. It has been listed on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, indicating it has been actively exploited, though the specific threat is described as 'unknown' in ransomware campaigns.

What immediate steps should be taken to address this vulnerability?

Organizations using affected Qualcomm chipsets should consult Qualcomm's security bulletins for specific remediation guidance and apply any available firmware or software updates. Promptly addressing this vulnerability is crucial to mitigating potential risks.

References