Snapdragon: Improper Authentication
CVE-2023-43551 is a high-severity improper authentication vulnerability in Snapdragon from Qualcomm, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected Snapdragon versions: 315 5G IoT Modem; 9205 LTE Modem; 9206 LTE Modem, and others listed below. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.26% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of Snapdragon you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on docs.qualcomm.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qualcomm | Snapdragon | 315 5G IoT Modem; 9205 LTE Modem; 9206 LTE Modem; 9207 LTE Modem; APQ8017; APQ8037; AQT1000; AR6003; and 32 more ranges | Not stated |
| Qualcomm | 315_5g_iot_modem_firmware | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Qualcomm | 9205_lte_modem_firmware | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Qualcomm | 9206_lte_modem_firmware | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Qualcomm | 9207_lte_modem_firmware | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Qualcomm | apq8017_firmware | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Qualcomm | apq8037_firmware | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Qualcomm | aqt1000_firmware | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Qualcomm | ar6003_firmware | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Qualcomm | ar8035_firmware | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Qualcomm | c-v2x_9150_firmware | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Qualcomm | csra6620_firmware | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Qualcomm | csra6640_firmware | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Qualcomm | csrb31024_firmware | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Qualcomm | fastconnect_6200_firmware | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Qualcomm | fastconnect_6700_firmware | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Qualcomm | fastconnect_6800_firmware | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Qualcomm | fastconnect_6900_firmware | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Qualcomm | fastconnect_7800_firmware | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Qualcomm | mdm8207_firmware | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Qualcomm | mdm9205s_firmware | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Qualcomm | mdm9230_firmware | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Qualcomm | mdm9250_firmware | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Qualcomm | mdm9330_firmware | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Qualcomm | mdm9615_firmware | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE; 35 further products are omitted here. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- NoneNo data is disclosed.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- NoneAvailability is not affected.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.1 | Critical | CNA (qualcomm.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.5 | High | NVD |
Official description
Cryptographic issue while performing attach with a LTE network, a rogue base station can skip the authentication phase and immediately send the Security Mode Command.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Authentication
When an actor claims to have a given identity, the product does not prove or insufficiently proves that the claim is correct.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use an authentication framework or library such as the OWASP ESAPI Authentication feature.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other vulnerabilities in Snapdragon
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.0 High severity
Recent Improper Authentication vulnerabilities
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 5.5 Medium severity
Spotted an error? Tell us.