CVE-2024-45569: Qualcomm AR8035 Buffer Overflow Flaw

CVE-2024-45569 Overview

CVE-2024-45569 is a critical memory corruption vulnerability affecting the firmware of numerous Qualcomm wireless chipsets. The flaw occurs during the parsing of Multi-Link Information Element (ML IE) data when invalid frame content is received. This vulnerability could potentially allow an attacker to trigger memory corruption on affected devices through specially crafted wireless frames, potentially leading to remote code execution or denial of service conditions.

Critical Impact

This memory corruption vulnerability in Qualcomm WLAN firmware affects over 100 chipset models including Snapdragon mobile platforms, FastConnect Wi-Fi modules, and networking SoCs. Exploitation over the network requires no authentication or user interaction, making it a significant threat to affected devices.

Affected Products

• Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2/Gen 3 Mobile Platforms
• Qualcomm FastConnect 6700, 6900, 7800 Wi-Fi/Bluetooth Modules
• Qualcomm IPQ Series Networking SoCs (IPQ5xxx, IPQ6xxx, IPQ8xxx, IPQ9xxx)
• Qualcomm QCA Series Wireless Adapters (QCA6xxx, QCA8xxx, QCA9xxx)
• Qualcomm WCN Series Connectivity Chips (WCN6450, WCN6650, WCN6755, WCN7xxx)
• Qualcomm Immersive Home Platforms (214, 216, 316, 318, 326, 3210)
• Qualcomm Automotive Platforms (SA6155P, SA7255P, SA7775P, SA8xxx series)
• Qualcomm Snapdragon X65/X72/X75 5G Modem-RF Systems

Discovery Timeline

• February 3, 2025 - CVE-2024-45569 published to NVD
• February 5, 2025 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-45569

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-129 (Improper Validation of Array Index), indicating that the root cause involves insufficient bounds checking when processing array indices during ML IE frame parsing. When the WLAN firmware receives malformed frame content containing invalid ML IE data, the parser fails to properly validate input boundaries before accessing memory structures.

The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered remotely over the network without requiring any authentication or privileges. An attacker within wireless range or capable of injecting malicious frames could potentially exploit this flaw to corrupt memory in the wireless firmware, which may lead to arbitrary code execution with elevated privileges or cause the wireless subsystem to crash.

Given the firmware-level nature of this vulnerability and its presence in mobile processors, automotive platforms, and networking equipment, the potential impact spans consumer devices, enterprise infrastructure, and automotive systems.

Root Cause

The vulnerability stems from improper validation of array index values when parsing Multi-Link Information Element (ML IE) structures in wireless frames. The ML IE parser does not adequately verify that index values derived from frame content fall within valid array bounds before using them to access memory. This allows an attacker to supply crafted frame data that causes out-of-bounds memory access, leading to memory corruption.

Attack Vector

An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by transmitting specially crafted wireless frames containing malformed ML IE data to a vulnerable device. The attack can be executed remotely over the network with no prerequisites:

1. No Authentication Required: The attacker does not need to authenticate to the target device or network
2. No User Interaction: Exploitation occurs during frame processing without requiring any user action
3. Network Accessible: The vulnerability can be triggered by any entity capable of sending wireless frames to the target

When the vulnerable WLAN firmware parses the malicious frame, the improper array index validation allows the attacker-controlled data to cause memory corruption. Depending on the specific memory region affected and the attacker's ability to control corrupted values, this could result in denial of service through firmware crashes, or potentially arbitrary code execution within the wireless subsystem context.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-45569

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected wireless subsystem crashes or restarts on affected devices
• Anomalous WLAN firmware behavior including connectivity interruptions
• Malformed 802.11 frames with unusual ML IE structures in wireless traffic captures
• System logs indicating memory corruption or buffer overflow errors in WLAN components

Detection Strategies

• Deploy wireless intrusion detection systems (WIDS) to monitor for malformed 802.11 frames and suspicious ML IE patterns
• Enable firmware crash logging and monitoring on affected devices to capture exploitation attempts
• Implement network traffic analysis to identify anomalous wireless frame patterns targeting multiple devices
• Monitor device stability metrics for unexplained wireless subsystem failures

Monitoring Recommendations

• Configure centralized logging for all Qualcomm-powered wireless devices to aggregate crash reports
• Establish baseline wireless behavior patterns to detect anomalies indicative of exploitation attempts
• Deploy SentinelOne agents on host systems to monitor for unusual driver or firmware behavior associated with wireless components
• Implement alerting for clusters of wireless subsystem failures that may indicate active attack campaigns

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-45569

Immediate Actions Required

• Review the Qualcomm February 2025 Security Bulletin and identify all affected devices in your environment
• Prioritize firmware updates for devices in high-risk environments or those handling sensitive data
• Contact device manufacturers (OEMs) to obtain updated firmware incorporating Qualcomm's security patches
• For Android devices, ensure the latest security patch level is applied when available from device manufacturers

Patch Information

Qualcomm has addressed this vulnerability in firmware updates detailed in their February 2025 Security Bulletin. Organizations should obtain patched firmware from their device manufacturers or OEMs, as Qualcomm provides patches to device makers who then distribute updates to end users. The specific patch availability varies by device manufacturer and platform.

For detailed patch information and affected chipset list, refer to the Qualcomm February 2025 Security Bulletin.

Workarounds

• Limit wireless exposure by disabling Wi-Fi on devices where not required until patches are available
• Implement network segmentation to isolate vulnerable wireless devices from critical systems
• Deploy enterprise wireless management solutions that can filter or monitor for suspicious frame patterns
• For automotive and IoT deployments, consider physical security controls to limit attacker proximity to vulnerable devices

# Example: Check Android security patch level to verify remediation
adb shell getprop ro.build.version.security_patch

# Example: Monitor for WLAN subsystem crashes on Linux systems
dmesg | grep -i "wlan\|wifi\|wcn\|qca" | grep -i "crash\|fault\|error"