CVE-2024-21455
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows memory corruption when a compat IOCTL call is followed by another IOCTL call from userspace to a Qualcomm driver. Attackers could potentially execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service. Affects devices with Qualcomm chipsets including smartphones, IoT devices, and embedded systems.
💻 Affected Systems
- Qualcomm chipsets and associated drivers
📦 What is this software?
Snapdragon 680 4g Mobile Platform Firmware by Qualcomm
View all CVEs affecting Snapdragon 680 4g Mobile Platform Firmware →
Snapdragon 685 4g Mobile Platform \(sm6225 Ad\) Firmware by Qualcomm
View all CVEs affecting Snapdragon 685 4g Mobile Platform \(sm6225 Ad\) Firmware →
Snapdragon Auto 5g Modem Rf Gen 2 Firmware by Qualcomm
View all CVEs affecting Snapdragon Auto 5g Modem Rf Gen 2 Firmware →
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Remote code execution with kernel privileges leading to complete system compromise, data theft, or persistent backdoor installation.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation allowing attackers to gain elevated privileges on the device, potentially leading to data access or further system compromise.
If Mitigated
Denial of service through system crash or instability if exploitation attempts fail or are partially successful.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires local access and ability to make IOCTL calls. Memory corruption vulnerabilities often lead to reliable exploitation once understood.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Check Qualcomm October 2024 security bulletin for specific patched versions
Vendor Advisory: https://docs.qualcomm.com/product/publicresources/securitybulletin/october-2024-bulletin.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Check Qualcomm advisory for affected chipset/driver versions. 2. Obtain updated firmware/drivers from device manufacturer. 3. Apply patches following device-specific update procedures. 4. Reboot device to load patched drivers.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict IOCTL access
linuxLimit access to vulnerable driver IOCTL interfaces using SELinux or similar MAC systems
# Example SELinux policy to restrict access
# require device-specific policy configuration
Disable vulnerable driver
linuxPrevent loading of the vulnerable driver if not required for system operation
# Blacklist driver module
echo "blacklist vulnerable_driver" >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict application sandboxing to limit IOCTL access from untrusted applications
- Deploy endpoint protection that monitors for suspicious IOCTL patterns and memory corruption attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Qualcomm chipset version and driver versions against advisory. Use 'lsmod' or similar to check if vulnerable driver is loaded.Check Version:
# Check kernel modules: lsmod | grep -i qualcomm
# Check chipset info varies by deviceVerify Fix Applied:
Verify driver version matches patched version from Qualcomm advisory. Check that security updates have been applied through device update mechanism.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Multiple IOCTL calls to same driver in short succession
- Kernel panic or crash logs
- SELinux denials for driver access
Network Indicators:
- Local exploitation only; no direct network indicators
SIEM Query:
Process making multiple ioctl() system calls to driver devices in rapid succession