CVE-2023-33036 is classified as a high-severity vulnerability identified in various Qualcomm firmware products, including aqt1000_firmware and fastconnect_6800_firmware. This vulnerability allows an untrusted virtual machine (VM) without Power State Coordination Interface (PSCI) support to make a PSCI call, leading to a permanent denial-of-service (DOS) condition in the hypervisor. With a CVSS score of 7.1, the risk associated with this vulnerability is significant, particularly regarding device availability.
Organizations utilizing Qualcomm firmware must understand the implications of this vulnerability. It can be exploited locally with low complexity and requires no privileges or user interaction. Given the high availability impact, organizations should prioritize patching immediately to safeguard their systems.
Currently, there are no public exploits associated with CVE-2023-33036, and it is not included in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. However, the potential for exploitation remains a concern, necessitating proactive measures by organizations.
The urgency for remediation cannot be overstated. Organizations should incorporate this vulnerability into their immediate patch management processes to prevent potential disruptions.
Vulnerability Details
The official description of CVE-2023-33036 states that it allows for a permanent DOS condition in the hypervisor when an untrusted VM without PSCI support makes a PSCI call. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 7.1, indicating high severity. The affected products include several Qualcomm firmware versions, as listed in the affected products section. The vulnerability was published on January 2, 2024.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2023-33036 lies in the hypervisor's handling of PSCI calls from untrusted VMs. This design flaw allows an attacker to trigger a condition that leads to a permanent DOS, effectively disrupting services and making the system unresponsive. The attack vector is local, requiring physical access or local network access to the vulnerable device.
The attack complexity is low, as no special privileges or user interaction is needed to exploit the vulnerability. The impact on availability is severe, as the hypervisor becomes unresponsive, leading to a total loss of functionality for the affected devices.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The risk to organizations includes potential downtime and service disruption due to the permanent DOS condition caused by CVE-2023-33036. The blast radius is significant, as many Qualcomm firmware components are affected, impacting a wide range of devices. Given the CVSS score and the current lack of known exploits, organizations should still treat this vulnerability with high urgency.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The following Qualcomm firmware versions are affected by CVE-2023-33036: aqt1000_firmware, ar8035_firmware, fastconnect_6200_firmware, fastconnect_6800_firmware, fastconnect_6900_firmware, fastconnect_7800_firmware, qam8255p_firmware, qam8295p_firmware, qam8650p_firmware, qam8775p_firmware, and more. Organizations should consider all versions prior to vendor patch as vulnerable.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize applying patches as soon as they are available from Qualcomm to remediate this vulnerability. In the absence of a patch, it is advisable to restrict access to vulnerable firmware components and implement strict network controls to mitigate exposure. For further assistance, organizations can explore penetration testing services to identify potential vulnerabilities and enhance security posture.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for any signs of abnormal behavior that may indicate an exploit attempt. Key indicators include unexpected hypervisor shutdowns, abnormal resource consumption, and unauthorized VM access attempts. Implementing network signatures to detect suspicious PSCI calls can also assist in identifying potential attacks.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2023-33036 lies in its potential to expose vulnerabilities in widely deployed Qualcomm firmware across various industries. The pattern of such vulnerabilities highlights the need for continuous security assessments and proactive measures to safeguard devices. Security teams should take this incident as a reminder to implement robust security protocols and regular audits to maintain system integrity. For more insights on enhancing your security framework, consider exploring our penetration testing methodology and the importance of a comprehensive vulnerability management program to address similar threats effectively.
As the threat landscape evolves, organizations must remain vigilant and adapt their security strategies to mitigate the impact of vulnerabilities such as CVE-2023-33036.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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