CVE-2024-49840 – This vulnerability allows memory corruption whe... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2024-49840?

CVE-2024-49840 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH). This vulnerability allows memory corruption when user-space applications make IOCTL calls to validate FIPS encryption/decryption functionality. Attackers could potentially execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service. This affects systems using Qualcomm chipsets with vulnerable FIPS validation implementations.

📋 TL;DR

This vulnerability allows memory corruption when user-space applications make IOCTL calls to validate FIPS encryption/decryption functionality. Attackers could potentially execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service. This affects systems using Qualcomm chipsets with vulnerable FIPS validation implementations.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Qualcomm chipsets with FIPS validation functionality

Versions: Specific versions not detailed in reference, check Qualcomm advisory

Operating Systems: Android, Linux-based systems using Qualcomm chipsets

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Requires user-space application with IOCTL access to FIPS validation interface

📦 What is this software?

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Remote code execution with kernel privileges leading to complete system compromise

🟠

Likely Case

Local privilege escalation or denial of service affecting system stability

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited impact with proper access controls and isolation mechanisms in place

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - Requires local access or compromised application to trigger IOCTL calls

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Local attackers or malicious applications could exploit this vulnerability

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Requires understanding of IOCTL interface and memory corruption techniques

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Check Qualcomm February 2025 security bulletin for specific versions

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

Restart Required: No

Instructions:

1. Check Qualcomm advisory for affected chipset models. 2. Apply firmware/software updates from device manufacturer. 3. Verify patch installation through version checks.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Restrict IOCTL access

Linux-based systems

Limit user-space application access to FIPS validation IOCTL interfaces

Requires SELinux/AppArmor policies or kernel module restrictions

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement strict application sandboxing to limit IOCTL access
Monitor for unusual IOCTL calls to FIPS validation interfaces

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check chipset version and firmware against Qualcomm advisory

Check Version:

cat /proc/cpuinfo | grep -i qualcomm && dmesg | grep -i fips

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify firmware version matches patched versions in Qualcomm bulletin

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Unusual IOCTL calls to FIPS validation interfaces
Kernel panic or memory corruption errors

Network Indicators:

Not network exploitable - local vulnerability only

SIEM Query:

kernel_logs: "FIPS" AND ("IOCTL" OR "memory corruption")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-49840

CVSS v3 Score: 7.8 (HIGH)

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

CWE: CWE-823

EPSS Score: 0.02% exploit probability (5.7th percentile)

Published: February 3, 2025

Last Updated: February 5, 2025

🔗 References

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

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