CVE-2024-21473: Qualcomm AR8035 Buffer Overflow Flaw

CVE-2024-21473 Overview

CVE-2024-21473 is a memory corruption vulnerability affecting a wide range of Qualcomm chipset firmware. The vulnerability occurs when redirecting log files to arbitrary file locations with arbitrary file names. This flaw allows unauthenticated remote attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code, compromise device integrity, or cause system instability across affected networking equipment, modems, and IoT devices.

Critical Impact

This vulnerability enables remote attackers to exploit memory corruption through malicious log file redirection, potentially leading to complete device compromise without requiring authentication or user interaction.

Affected Products

• Qualcomm IPQ Series Networking Processors (IPQ4018, IPQ5010, IPQ6018, IPQ8074, IPQ9574, and variants)
• Qualcomm QCA/QCN Series Wireless Chipsets (QCA9880, QCA9984, QCN9000, QCN9074, and numerous variants)
• Qualcomm FastConnect 6900 and 7800 Firmware
• Qualcomm Immersive Home Platform (214, 216, 316, 318, 3210, 326)
• Qualcomm Snapdragon X65 and X75 5G Modem-RF Firmware
• Qualcomm SDX55 and SDX65M Modem Firmware

Discovery Timeline

• April 1, 2024 - CVE-2024-21473 published to NVD
• January 13, 2025 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-21473

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability stems from improper input validation (CWE-20) leading to an out-of-bounds write condition (CWE-787) within the log file redirection functionality of affected Qualcomm firmware. When the firmware processes requests to redirect logging output to user-specified file paths and names, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the input parameters. This allows an attacker to craft malicious input that corrupts memory structures adjacent to the intended buffer.

The attack can be initiated remotely over the network without requiring any privileges or user interaction. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to overwrite critical memory regions, potentially enabling arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the affected firmware component. Given the firmware-level nature of this vulnerability, exploitation could result in persistent compromise that survives device reboots.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2024-21473 is improper input validation when handling log file redirection parameters. The affected firmware components do not adequately validate file path lengths, file name characters, or destination parameters before writing data to memory. This insufficient boundary checking allows attackers to provide oversized or specially crafted input that writes beyond allocated buffer boundaries, corrupting adjacent memory and potentially gaining control of program execution flow.

Attack Vector

An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by sending specially crafted network requests to the affected device that trigger the log file redirection functionality. The attack flow involves:

1. Identifying a vulnerable Qualcomm-based device accessible over the network
2. Sending malformed log redirection requests with oversized or malicious file path parameters
3. Triggering the memory corruption condition by causing a write operation beyond buffer boundaries
4. Leveraging the corrupted memory state to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service

The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires no authentication and can be exploited remotely over the network, making it an attractive target for automated scanning and mass exploitation campaigns.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-21473

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected device crashes or reboots in network equipment using affected Qualcomm chipsets
• Anomalous log file activity or log files appearing in unexpected system locations
• Unusual network traffic patterns targeting management interfaces of routers, access points, or modems
• Memory corruption signatures or segmentation faults in device diagnostic logs

Detection Strategies

• Deploy network intrusion detection systems (IDS) with signatures for anomalous log redirection requests to Qualcomm-based devices
• Monitor device health metrics for unexpected restarts or memory utilization anomalies on affected networking equipment
• Implement deep packet inspection at network boundaries to identify malformed requests targeting vulnerable firmware interfaces
• Utilize SentinelOne Singularity platform for endpoint and network device monitoring where supported

Monitoring Recommendations

• Establish baseline behavior for affected devices and alert on deviations in log file operations or memory usage patterns
• Configure centralized logging to capture and correlate events from Qualcomm-based network infrastructure
• Regularly review firmware versions across network devices to track patching status against CVE-2024-21473

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-21473

Immediate Actions Required

• Identify all network devices in your environment utilizing affected Qualcomm chipsets and firmware
• Apply available firmware updates from device manufacturers that incorporate Qualcomm's April 2024 security patches
• Restrict network access to device management interfaces using firewall rules and network segmentation
• Enable logging and monitoring on affected devices to detect potential exploitation attempts

Patch Information

Qualcomm has addressed this vulnerability in their April 2024 Security Bulletin. Device manufacturers incorporating affected Qualcomm chipsets should release firmware updates that include these patches. Administrators should consult their specific device vendor for patch availability and update instructions. For detailed patch information, refer to the Qualcomm April 2024 Security Bulletin.

Workarounds

• Isolate affected devices on separate network segments with restricted access until patches can be applied
• Disable remote management interfaces if not operationally required, limiting attack surface exposure
• Implement strict access control lists (ACLs) to limit which systems can communicate with vulnerable device management ports
• Deploy network-based security controls to filter and inspect traffic destined for affected devices

# Example: Restrict management interface access using iptables
# Replace MGMT_IP with your management network range
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 80 -s MGMT_IP/24 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -s MGMT_IP/24 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 22 -s MGMT_IP/24 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 80 -j DROP
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -j DROP
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 22 -j DROP