CVE-2020-3700
📋 TL;DR
CVE-2020-3700 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability in Qualcomm Snapdragon Wi-Fi drivers that could allow local attackers to read sensitive kernel memory without requiring elevated privileges. This affects numerous Qualcomm-based devices across automotive, mobile, IoT, and networking platforms. The vulnerability enables information disclosure but not code execution.
💻 Affected Systems
- Snapdragon Auto
- Snapdragon Compute
- Snapdragon Connectivity
- Snapdragon Consumer IOT
- Snapdragon Mobile
- Snapdragon Voice & Music
- Snapdragon Wearables
- Snapdragon Wired Infrastructure and Networking
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Local attacker gains unauthorized read access to kernel memory, potentially exposing sensitive data like encryption keys, passwords, or other system information that could facilitate further attacks.
Likely Case
Local information disclosure where an attacker with user-level access can read portions of kernel memory, potentially exposing device-specific data or configuration information.
If Mitigated
Minimal impact if devices are properly segmented and user access is restricted, though the vulnerability remains present at the kernel level.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local access and knowledge of memory layout. No public proof-of-concept has been released, but the vulnerability is well-documented in security bulletins.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Vendor-specific patches released in July 2020 security updates
Vendor Advisory: https://www.qualcomm.com/company/product-security/bulletins/july-2020-bulletin
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Check with device manufacturer for available firmware updates. 2. Apply Qualcomm's July 2020 security patch for affected chipsets. 3. Reboot device after patch installation. 4. Verify patch application through version checks.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Wi-Fi Interface
linuxTemporarily disable Wi-Fi functionality to prevent exploitation of the vulnerable driver
sudo ifconfig wlan0 down
sudo nmcli radio wifi off
Restrict Local User Access
allLimit local user accounts and implement strict access controls to reduce attack surface
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement network segmentation to isolate affected devices from sensitive systems
- Apply strict local access controls and monitor for suspicious local activity
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check device chipset model and firmware version against affected list. Use 'cat /proc/cpuinfo' or manufacturer-specific commands to identify hardware.Check Version:
Manufacturer-specific commands vary; for Android: 'getprop ro.build.fingerprint' or check Settings > About PhoneVerify Fix Applied:
Verify firmware version includes July 2020 or later security patches. Check with device manufacturer for specific patch verification methods.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic logs
- Wi-Fi driver crash reports
- Unusual memory access patterns in system logs
Network Indicators:
- No direct network indicators as this is a local vulnerability
SIEM Query:
Search for kernel module crashes related to wlan or qcacld drivers, or unusual process memory access patterns