CVE-2024-38407
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows memory corruption in the Qualcomm JPEG Encoder driver when processing IOCTL input parameters. Attackers could exploit this to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges on affected devices. This affects Android devices and other systems using Qualcomm chipsets with the vulnerable driver.
💻 Affected Systems
- Qualcomm chipsets with JPEG Encoder driver
- Android devices using affected Qualcomm components
📦 What is this software?
Snapdragon 429 Mobile Platform Firmware by Qualcomm
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Snapdragon 7c Compute Platform Firmware by Qualcomm
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Snapdragon 7c\+ Gen 3 Compute Firmware by Qualcomm
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Snapdragon 8c Compute Platform \(sc8180x Ad\) \"poipu Lite\" Firmware by Qualcomm
View all CVEs affecting Snapdragon 8c Compute Platform \(sc8180x Ad\) \"poipu Lite\" Firmware →
Snapdragon 8c Compute Platform \(sc8180xp Ad\) \"poipu Lite\" Firmware by Qualcomm
View all CVEs affecting Snapdragon 8c Compute Platform \(sc8180xp Ad\) \"poipu Lite\" Firmware →
Snapdragon 8cx Compute Platform \(sc8180x Aa\, Ab\) Firmware by Qualcomm
View all CVEs affecting Snapdragon 8cx Compute Platform \(sc8180x Aa\, Ab\) Firmware →
Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 5g Compute Platform \(sc8180xp Aa\, Ab\) Firmware by Qualcomm
View all CVEs affecting Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 5g Compute Platform \(sc8180xp Aa\, Ab\) Firmware →
Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 Compute Platform \(sc8280xp Ab\, Bb\) Firmware by Qualcomm
View all CVEs affecting Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 Compute Platform \(sc8280xp Ab\, Bb\) Firmware →
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise with kernel-level code execution, allowing attackers to install persistent malware, steal sensitive data, or brick devices.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation from user to kernel mode, enabling further system exploitation or persistence mechanisms.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper kernel hardening, SELinux policies, and driver sandboxing are implemented.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires local access to trigger IOCTL calls; exploitation depends on memory corruption details not fully disclosed.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Refer to Qualcomm November 2024 security bulletin for specific patched versions
Vendor Advisory: https://docs.qualcomm.com/product/publicresources/securitybulletin/november-2024-bulletin.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Check Qualcomm advisory for affected chipset versions. 2. Obtain firmware/driver updates from device manufacturer. 3. Apply patches following manufacturer instructions. 4. Reboot device to load patched driver.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict IOCTL access
linuxLimit access to the vulnerable driver's device node using permissions or SELinux policies
chmod 600 /dev/jpeg_encoder
setenforce 1
Disable vulnerable driver
linuxUnload or blacklist the JPEG Encoder driver if not required
rmmod jpeg_encoder
echo 'blacklist jpeg_encoder' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict application sandboxing to limit access to kernel drivers
- Deploy runtime protection tools that monitor for suspicious IOCTL calls
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check driver version: lsmod | grep jpeg_encoder and compare with Qualcomm advisoryCheck Version:
modinfo jpeg_encoder | grep versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify patched driver version is loaded and check system logs for successful update📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel logs showing driver crashes or memory corruption
- Unusual IOCTL calls to JPEG driver
Network Indicators:
- None - this is a local vulnerability
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND "jpeg_encoder" AND ("corruption" OR "panic" OR "oops")