CVE-2024-23380 Overview
CVE-2024-23380 is a Use After Free (UAF) vulnerability affecting numerous Qualcomm chipsets and firmware components. The vulnerability occurs during Vertex Buffer Object (VBO) bind operations in the GPU driver when handling user packets, leading to memory corruption. This flaw enables a local attacker with low privileges to potentially achieve arbitrary code execution, gain elevated privileges, or cause system instability on affected devices.
Critical Impact
Local attackers can exploit improper memory handling during VBO bind operations to corrupt memory, potentially leading to privilege escalation or arbitrary code execution on affected Qualcomm-based devices including smartphones, automotive systems, IoT platforms, and wearables.
Affected Products
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1/2/3 Mobile Platforms
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 835/460/480/662/680/695 Mobile Platforms
- Qualcomm FastConnect 6200/6700/6900/7800 Firmware
- Qualcomm SA6155P/SA8155P/SA8195P Automotive Platforms
- Qualcomm Robotics RB5 Platform
- Qualcomm Video Collaboration VC1/VC3/VC5 Platforms
- Qualcomm Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 Wearable Platform
- Qualcomm QCA6574/QCA6595/QCA6696 Series
- Qualcomm WCD9335/WCD9380/WCD9390 Audio Codecs
- Qualcomm WSA8810/WSA8830/WSA8840/WSA8845 Smart Amplifiers
Discovery Timeline
- July 1, 2024 - CVE-2024-23380 published to NVD
- November 21, 2024 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-23380
Vulnerability Analysis
This vulnerability is classified as CWE-416 (Use After Free). The flaw exists in the Qualcomm GPU driver subsystem responsible for managing graphics memory operations. During VBO bind operations, the driver fails to properly track the lifecycle of memory objects, resulting in a condition where freed memory can be referenced and manipulated.
The vulnerability requires local access and low-level privileges to exploit, but does not require user interaction. Successful exploitation could allow an attacker to read or write arbitrary memory locations, potentially leading to complete device compromise. The impact spans across confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system.
Given the widespread use of affected Qualcomm chipsets in mobile devices, automotive systems, IoT devices, wearables, and robotics platforms, the attack surface is substantial. Devices ranging from flagship smartphones to industrial equipment may be vulnerable.
Root Cause
The root cause of CVE-2024-23380 lies in improper memory management within the GPU driver's VBO handling code. When processing user-supplied packets during bind operations, the driver deallocates memory resources but retains dangling pointers or references to those freed memory regions. Subsequent operations that reference these pointers result in use-after-free conditions.
This type of vulnerability typically arises from complex memory lifecycle management in graphics subsystems, where multiple asynchronous operations may access shared memory resources. The lack of proper reference counting or synchronization mechanisms allows the freed memory to be accessed after deallocation.
Attack Vector
The attack vector for this vulnerability is local, meaning an attacker must have code execution capability on the target device. The exploitation flow involves:
- An attacker-controlled application issues specially crafted graphics operations targeting the VBO bind functionality
- The malicious packets trigger the vulnerable code path in the GPU driver
- Memory is freed while references still exist
- The attacker manipulates the freed memory region through heap manipulation techniques
- Subsequent access to the dangling pointer allows arbitrary read/write or code execution
The vulnerability's exploitation in a mobile context could involve a malicious application installed on the device. In automotive or IoT contexts, exploitation would require prior compromise of an application layer or physical access to trigger the vulnerable code path.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-23380
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected GPU driver crashes or kernel panics with memory corruption signatures
- Anomalous graphics-related system calls from untrusted applications
- Evidence of heap spray patterns in process memory associated with graphics operations
- Kernel logs showing use-after-free warnings or memory access violations in GPU driver components
Detection Strategies
- Monitor kernel logs for GPU driver-related memory corruption errors or UAF indicators
- Implement runtime memory safety monitoring on embedded and mobile devices where supported
- Deploy endpoint detection solutions capable of identifying privilege escalation attempts following graphics operations
- Utilize application sandboxing to limit graphics API access from untrusted applications
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable verbose logging for GPU driver operations on development and test devices
- Implement crash analysis pipelines to identify exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability class
- Monitor for applications requesting unusual combinations of graphics permissions and elevated capabilities
- Track firmware versions across device fleets to ensure timely patch deployment
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-23380
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the latest firmware updates from Qualcomm and device OEMs addressing CVE-2024-23380
- Review the Qualcomm July 2024 Security Bulletin for specific patch information
- Inventory all devices using affected Qualcomm chipsets across mobile, automotive, IoT, and wearable deployments
- Restrict installation of applications from untrusted sources on affected devices
Patch Information
Qualcomm has released patches addressing this vulnerability as part of their July 2024 security bulletin. The patches correct the memory lifecycle management in the GPU driver's VBO bind operation handling. Organizations should coordinate with their device manufacturers (OEMs) to obtain and deploy updated firmware.
For mobile devices, patches are typically distributed through Android security updates. Automotive and IoT deployments may require direct coordination with Qualcomm or system integrators for firmware updates.
Workarounds
- Implement application-level sandboxing to restrict access to graphics APIs from untrusted code
- Deploy Mobile Device Management (MDM) policies to prevent installation of applications from unknown sources
- Enable SELinux enforcing mode on Android-based devices to limit exploitation impact
- Consider network segmentation for IoT devices pending firmware updates
# Example: Verify Android security patch level on affected devices
adb shell getprop ro.build.version.security_patch
# Ensure patch date is July 2024 or later to include CVE-2024-23380 fixes
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
