CVE-2022-22091 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This article discusses CVE-2022-22091, an improper authorization vulnerability in multiple Qualcomm Snapdragon products that can result in a denial of service. It provides insights into the impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

Understanding CVE-2022-22091

CVE-2022-22091 is an improper authorization vulnerability affecting various Qualcomm Snapdragon products, potentially leading to a denial of service. Here is a detailed overview of this security issue.

What is CVE-2022-22091?

The CVE-2022-22091 vulnerability involves the improper authorization of a replayed LTE security mode command in Snapdragon Auto, Snapdragon Compute, Snapdragon Connectivity, Snapdragon Consumer IOT, Snapdragon Industrial IOT, Snapdragon Mobile, and Snapdragon Wearables. This flaw can be exploited to trigger a denial of service.

The Impact of CVE-2022-22091

The vulnerability carries a CVSS base score of 7.5, indicating a high severity level. With a low attack complexity and a network-based attack vector, an attacker can potentially disrupt the availability of affected systems, imposing a significant impact.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-22091

This section covers specific technical details related to CVE-2022-22091, including a description of the vulnerability, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the improper authorization of a replayed LTE security mode command, making it possible for threat actors to orchestrate denial-of-service attacks on the impacted Qualcomm Snapdragon products.

Affected Systems and Versions

Multiple Qualcomm Snapdragon products are impacted by CVE-2022-22091, including but not limited to APQ8017, MSM8917, MSM8953, SD 665, SD 710, SD 845, SD 865 5G, SD 888, and various others. Users of these products are at risk of experiencing service disruption due to unauthorized LTE security mode commands.

Exploitation Mechanism

A successful exploit of this vulnerability involves replaying a specific LTE security mode command without proper authorization, leading to a denial of service condition on the Snapdragon devices mentioned above.

Mitigation and Prevention

In light of the CVE-2022-22091 vulnerability, it is crucial for users and organizations to take immediate steps to safeguard their systems and adhere to long-term security practices. Regular patching and updates are essential to mitigate the risks associated with this security flaw.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to stay informed about security bulletins and updates from Qualcomm, apply relevant patches promptly, and monitor network activity for any suspicious behavior that may indicate exploitation attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing robust access controls, network segmentation, and security monitoring mechanisms can help prevent unauthorized commands and enhance the overall security posture against potential denial-of-service attacks.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for security advisories and updates released by Qualcomm to address CVE-2022-22091. Applying patches in a timely manner is essential to close off the vulnerability and protect the affected systems from potential exploitation.