CVE-2024-49837 is a vulnerability identified in Qualcomm Snapdragon processors characterized by improper validation of array indices (CWE-129) during the process of reading CPU state data when a guest virtual machine (VM) is suspended. This improper validation leads to memory corruption, which can be exploited by an attacker with local privileges to potentially execute arbitrary code, escalate privileges, or cause denial of service. The vulnerability affects a broad range of Snapdragon models, including QAM8255P, QAM8295P, QAM8620P, SA7255P, SA9000P, and others, indicating a widespread impact across many Snapdragon-powered devices. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.8, reflecting high severity due to the high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, combined with low attack complexity and low privileges required. The attack vector is local, meaning the attacker must have some level of access to the device, but no user interaction is needed. The vulnerability arises specifically during the suspend operation of guest VMs, which is a critical operation in virtualized environments, suggesting that devices running virtual machines on Snapdragon platforms are particularly vulnerable. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the potential for exploitation exists given the nature of the flaw. Qualcomm has not yet published patches, so mitigation currently relies on limiting access and monitoring. This vulnerability highlights risks in virtualization security on mobile and embedded platforms, where Snapdragon processors are commonly deployed.

The potential impact of CVE-2024-49837 is significant for organizations relying on Snapdragon-powered devices, especially those utilizing virtualization technologies. Exploitation can lead to full compromise of the affected system's confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Attackers with local access could execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, potentially gaining control over the device or disrupting critical services. This could affect mobile devices, IoT devices, and embedded systems used in enterprise, industrial, or telecommunications environments. The vulnerability could facilitate lateral movement within networks if exploited on devices acting as gateways or endpoints. The absence of user interaction lowers the barrier for exploitation once local access is obtained, increasing risk in environments where multiple users share devices or where malicious apps could gain limited privileges. The broad range of affected Snapdragon models means a large installed base is vulnerable, amplifying the potential scale of impact globally. Organizations may face data breaches, service outages, or device bricking if the vulnerability is exploited. The lack of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive mitigation before active attacks emerge.

1. Apply vendor patches promptly once Qualcomm releases them for the affected Snapdragon models. 2. Restrict local access to devices running vulnerable Snapdragon processors, especially limiting access to VM management interfaces and suspend/resume operations. 3. Implement strict privilege separation and enforce least privilege principles to reduce the risk of local privilege escalation. 4. Monitor logs and system behavior for unusual VM suspend/resume activities or memory corruption indicators. 5. Employ runtime protection mechanisms such as memory integrity checks and exploit mitigation technologies (e.g., Control Flow Integrity, DEP, ASLR) where supported. 6. For organizations using Snapdragon-based embedded or IoT devices, consider network segmentation to isolate vulnerable devices from critical infrastructure. 7. Educate users and administrators about the risks of local privilege abuse and encourage secure device usage policies. 8. Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing focusing on virtualization components on Snapdragon platforms. 9. Coordinate with device vendors and Qualcomm for timely updates and security advisories. 10. If patching is delayed, consider temporary mitigations such as disabling VM suspend features if feasible without disrupting operations.