CVE-2021-30310
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows attackers to cause buffer overflow by sending specially crafted CF-ACK and CF-Poll data frames to affected Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets. It affects a wide range of Snapdragon products including mobile devices, automotive systems, IoT devices, and connectivity platforms. Successful exploitation could lead to remote code execution or denial of service.
💻 Affected Systems
- Snapdragon Auto
- Snapdragon Connectivity
- Snapdragon Consumer Electronics Connectivity
- Snapdragon Consumer IOT
- Snapdragon Industrial IOT
- Snapdragon IoT
- Snapdragon Mobile
- Snapdragon Voice & Music
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Remote code execution with kernel privileges, allowing complete device compromise and potential lateral movement in networks
Likely Case
Denial of service causing device crashes or instability, potentially requiring physical reset
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper network segmentation and intrusion detection systems in place
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires wireless proximity and knowledge of wireless frame manipulation
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Check with device manufacturers for specific firmware updates
Vendor Advisory: https://www.qualcomm.com/company/product-security/bulletins/october-2021-bulletin
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Check with device manufacturer for firmware updates 2. Apply Qualcomm-provided patches through OEM firmware updates 3. Reboot device after update
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Network segmentation
allIsolate affected devices on separate wireless networks with strict access controls
Disable unnecessary wireless features
linuxDisable CF-ACK and CF-Poll frame support if not required for functionality
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict physical security controls to prevent unauthorized wireless access
- Deploy wireless intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check device firmware version against manufacturer's patched versions. Use 'getprop ro.build.fingerprint' on Android devices to check build information.Check Version:
Android: 'getprop ro.build.fingerprint' or 'getprop ro.build.version.security_patch'. Linux-based: Check firmware version through manufacturer tools.Verify Fix Applied:
Verify firmware version has been updated to manufacturer's patched version. Check Qualcomm security bulletin for specific patch indicators.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected device reboots
- Kernel panic logs
- Wireless driver crashes
Network Indicators:
- Unusual CF-ACK/CF-Poll frame patterns
- Malformed wireless frames
- Excessive retransmissions
SIEM Query:
Wireless security monitoring for abnormal 802.11 frame patterns and device stability alerts