CVE-2023-28542 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This CVE record discloses a memory corruption vulnerability in WLAN HOST when fetching TX status information. This vulnerability has been classified as having a high impact with a CVSS base score of 7.8.

Understanding CVE-2023-28542

This section aims to provide a detailed understanding of the CVE-2023-28542 vulnerability, including its impact and technical details.

What is CVE-2023-28542?

The CVE-2023-28542 vulnerability involves a memory corruption issue within WLAN HOST that occurs during the retrieval of TX status information. This vulnerability can potentially lead to exploitable scenarios where an attacker could manipulate the memory to execute arbitrary code or disrupt the system's normal operation.

The Impact of CVE-2023-28542

With a CVSS base score of 7.8, CVE-2023-28542 is considered a high-severity vulnerability. The vulnerability's impact is further accentuated by its potential to cause high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts on affected systems. The attack complexity is rated as low, emphasizing the ease with which a malicious actor could leverage this vulnerability.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-28542

In this section, we delve into the technical aspects of CVE-2023-28542, exploring the vulnerability description, affected systems, versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability entails a memory corruption issue specifically within the WLAN HOST component of the affected systems. It manifests when fetching TX status information, potentially leading to buffer over-read and other security risks.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts various Qualcomm Snapdragon products, including the Snapdragon Auto, Compute, Connectivity, Consumer IOT, Industrial IOT, Mobile, Voice & Music, and Wearables platforms. Specific affected versions range from modem components to mobile platforms and IoT devices, among others.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting CVE-2023-28542 requires local access to the affected system's WLAN HOST functionality. By manipulating TX status information retrieval, an attacker could trigger memory corruption, leading to unintended consequences such as system crashes or unauthorized code execution.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard systems against the CVE-2023-28542 vulnerability, immediate action and long-term security practices are essential to mitigate risks and protect against potential exploits.

Immediate Steps to Take

Implementing vendor-supplied patches and updates is crucial to address the vulnerability and reduce the risk of exploitation. Organizations should prioritize applying security patches and following best practices recommended by Qualcomm in response to the CVE-2023-28542 advisory.

Long-Term Security Practices

Beyond patching, organizations should adopt a proactive approach to security, including routine vulnerability assessments, threat monitoring, and security awareness training. By maintaining a robust security posture and staying informed about emerging threats, organizations can better defend against future vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Qualcomm has released relevant security bulletins providing guidance on addressing CVE-2023-28542. Organizations should monitor official advisories from Qualcomm and promptly apply recommended patches to ensure the security of their Qualcomm Snapdragon-based devices and systems.