CVE-2022-40529

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2022-40529?

CVE-2022-40529 has a CVSS score of 7.1 (HIGH). This vulnerability allows memory corruption in the Qualcomm kernel due to improper access control when processing mapping requests from root processes. It affects devices with Qualcomm chipsets, potentially enabling privilege escalation or denial of service. Root access is required to trigger the vulnerability.

7.1 HIGH

📋 TL;DR

This vulnerability allows memory corruption in the Qualcomm kernel due to improper access control when processing mapping requests from root processes. It affects devices with Qualcomm chipsets, potentially enabling privilege escalation or denial of service. Root access is required to trigger the vulnerability.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Qualcomm chipsets and devices using affected kernel components

Versions: Specific versions not detailed in reference; check Qualcomm advisory for exact ranges.

Operating Systems: Android and other OS using Qualcomm kernels

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Vulnerability requires root process access; default configurations with root privileges are vulnerable.

📦 What is this software?

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Privilege escalation to kernel-level execution, allowing complete system compromise, data theft, or persistent backdoor installation.

🟠

Likely Case

Local denial of service (system crash/reboot) or limited privilege escalation within the kernel context.

🟢

If Mitigated

Minimal impact if proper kernel hardening and root access controls are enforced, though crashes may still occur.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - Requires local root access, not directly exploitable over network.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Could be exploited by malicious insiders or compromised accounts with root privileges.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Exploitation requires root access and kernel manipulation skills; no public exploits known.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Refer to Qualcomm June 2023 bulletin for specific patched versions.

Vendor Advisory: https://www.qualcomm.com/company/product-security/bulletins/june-2023-bulletin

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Check Qualcomm advisory for affected chipset/device. 2. Apply vendor-provided kernel patch or firmware update. 3. Reboot device to load patched kernel.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Restrict root access

linux

Limit root privileges to trusted processes/users to reduce attack surface.

Use SELinux/AppArmor policies to confine root processes
Implement least privilege principles

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Monitor for unusual root process activity and kernel crashes.
Isolate affected systems from critical networks and apply strict access controls.

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check device kernel version against Qualcomm patched versions in advisory; no direct command available.

Check Version:

uname -r (for kernel version on Linux/Android systems)

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify kernel version after update matches patched version from Qualcomm bulletin.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Kernel panic logs
Unexpected root process accessing kernel memory mappings

Network Indicators:

None - local exploitation only

SIEM Query:

Search for kernel crash events or unauthorized root process activity in system logs.

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2022-40529

CVSS v3 Score: 7.1 (HIGH)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H

CWE: CWE-284

Published: June 6, 2023

Last Updated: November 21, 2024

🔗 References

https://www.qualcomm.com/company/product-security/bulletins/june-2023-bulletin Vendor Advisory
https://www.qualcomm.com/company/product-security/bulletins/june-2023-bulletin Vendor Advisory

📋 TL;DR

💻 Affected Systems

📦 What is this software?

Aqt1000 Firmware by Qualcomm

Ar8031 Firmware by Qualcomm

Ar8035 Firmware by Qualcomm

C V2x 9150 Firmware by Qualcomm

Csra6620 Firmware by Qualcomm

Csra6640 Firmware by Qualcomm

Flight Rb5 5g Platform Firmware by Qualcomm

Qam8255p Firmware by Qualcomm

Qam8295p Firmware by Qualcomm

Qam8650p Firmware by Qualcomm

Qam8775p Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6174a Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6310 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6335 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6390 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6391 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6420 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6421 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6426 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6430 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6431 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6436 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6564 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6564a Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6564au Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6574 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6574a Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6574au Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6595 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6595au Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6696 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6698aq Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6797aq Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca9984 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcm2290 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcm4290 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcm4325 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcm4490 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcm6125 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcm6490 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcn9011 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcn9012 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcn9074 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcs2290 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcs410 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcs4290 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcs4490 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcs610 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcs6125 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcs6490 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcs8155 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcs8250 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcs8550 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qrb5165 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qrb5165m Firmware by Qualcomm

Qrb5165n Firmware by Qualcomm

Qsm8250 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qsm8350 Firmware by Qualcomm

Robotics Rb3 Platform Firmware by Qualcomm

Sa4150p Firmware by Qualcomm

Sa4155p Firmware by Qualcomm

Sa6145p Firmware by Qualcomm

Sa6150p Firmware by Qualcomm

Sa6155 Firmware by Qualcomm

Sa6155p Firmware by Qualcomm

Sa8145p Firmware by Qualcomm

Sa8150p Firmware by Qualcomm

Sa8155 Firmware by Qualcomm

Sa8155p Firmware by Qualcomm

Sa8195p Firmware by Qualcomm

Sa8255p Firmware by Qualcomm

Sa8295p Firmware by Qualcomm

Sa8540p Firmware by Qualcomm

Sa9000p Firmware by Qualcomm

Sc7180 Ac Firmware by Qualcomm

Sc7180 Ad Firmware by Qualcomm

Sc8180x Aa Firmware by Qualcomm