CVE-2024-38426

5.4 MEDIUM

📋 TL;DR

This vulnerability in Qualcomm UE (User Equipment) authentication processing allows improper authentication that could lead to information disclosure. It affects devices using Qualcomm chipsets with vulnerable firmware. Attackers could potentially access sensitive information from affected mobile devices.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:
  • Qualcomm chipsets with vulnerable firmware
Versions: Specific versions not detailed in public advisory; refer to Qualcomm March 2025 bulletin
Operating Systems: Android and other mobile OS using Qualcomm chipsets
Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes
Notes: Affects mobile devices with Qualcomm chipsets; exact device models depend on firmware implementation

📦 What is this software?

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Complete compromise of user data including authentication credentials, personal information, and device identifiers leading to identity theft or further attacks

🟠

Likely Case

Unauthorized access to limited device information such as IMSI, location data, or device identifiers that could enable tracking or profiling

🟢

If Mitigated

No impact if proper authentication controls and network security measures are implemented

🌐 Internet-Facing: MEDIUM - While the vulnerability exists in mobile devices, exploitation typically requires proximity or network access
🏢 Internal Only: LOW - This primarily affects end-user devices rather than internal enterprise systems

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No
Weaponized: UNKNOWN
Unauthenticated Exploit: ⚠️ Yes
Complexity: MEDIUM

Exploitation requires specific knowledge of authentication protocol implementation and likely proximity to target device

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Refer to Qualcomm March 2025 security bulletin for specific firmware versions

Vendor Advisory: https://docs.qualcomm.com/product/publicresources/securitybulletin/march-2025-bulletin.html

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Check device manufacturer for security updates 2. Apply Qualcomm firmware updates 3. Reboot device after update 4. Verify update through device settings

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Network Security Controls

all

Implement network-level authentication and encryption controls

Device Isolation

all

Restrict device access to trusted networks only

🧯 If You Can't Patch

  • Implement network segmentation to isolate vulnerable devices
  • Deploy mobile device management (MDM) with strict security policies

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check device firmware version against Qualcomm security bulletin; consult device manufacturer for specific vulnerability status

Check Version:

Device-specific: Settings > About Phone > Software Information (varies by manufacturer)

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify firmware version has been updated to patched version specified in Qualcomm advisory

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

  • Unusual authentication attempts in device logs
  • Failed authentication events followed by successful access

Network Indicators:

  • Suspicious authentication protocol traffic
  • Unusual network connections from mobile devices

SIEM Query:

Authentication events from mobile devices with CWE-287 patterns

🔗 References

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