CVE-2020-11194
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows attackers to perform out-of-bounds memory access in the Trusted Application (TA) component of Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets due to improper buffer length validation. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution or information disclosure. Affected devices include those using vulnerable Snapdragon chipsets across automotive, compute, mobile, and IoT platforms.
💻 Affected Systems
- Snapdragon Auto
- Snapdragon Compute
- Snapdragon Connectivity
- Snapdragon Consumer IOT
- Snapdragon Industrial IOT
- Snapdragon Mobile
- Snapdragon Wired Infrastructure and Networking
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete compromise of the Trusted Execution Environment (TEE), allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, potentially gaining persistent access to secure data and functions.
Likely Case
Information disclosure from the TEE or denial of service affecting secure applications and services running in the trusted environment.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper access controls and isolation between normal and trusted execution environments, though some information leakage may still occur.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires ability to execute code on the device to send malformed commands to the TA. No public exploit code is available as of the advisory date.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Refer to Qualcomm security bulletin for specific chipset/firmware versions
Vendor Advisory: https://www.qualcomm.com/company/product-security/bulletins/february-2021-bulletin
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Check Qualcomm security bulletin for affected chipset versions. 2. Contact device manufacturer for firmware updates. 3. Apply firmware/software updates from OEM. 4. Reboot device after update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict local code execution
allImplement application sandboxing and privilege separation to limit ability to send commands to TA
Monitor TA communication
linuxImplement logging and monitoring of communication between Normal World and Trusted Applications
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Isolate affected devices from untrusted networks and users
- Implement strict access controls and monitor for suspicious activity targeting TEE components
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check device chipset model and firmware version against Qualcomm's affected products list in the security bulletinCheck Version:
On Android: getprop ro.bootloader or check Settings > About Phone > Build NumberVerify Fix Applied:
Verify firmware version has been updated to a version after the patch release date specified in Qualcomm's bulletin📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual TA communication patterns
- Failed TA command attempts
- Memory access violations in TEE logs
Network Indicators:
- Not primarily network exploitable; focus on host-based indicators
SIEM Query:
Search for TEE/TA related error messages or access violations in system logs