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QualPwn: Critical Android Vulnerabilities Found by Tencent

Posted: August 6, 2019 to Technology.

Tags: Data Breach, Malware, AI

Security researchers from Tencent’s Blade team discovered a series of Android vulnerabilities collectively known as QualPwn in February and March this year. The vulnerabilities lie in the WLAN and modem firmware of Qualcomm chipsets. Hundreds of millions of Android devices are at risk of complete take over. "One of the vulnerabilities allows attackers to compromise the WLAN and Modem over-the-air,” said the researchers in a blog post. “The other allows attackers to compromise the Android Kernel from the WLAN chip. The full exploit chain allows attackers to compromise the Android Kernel over-the-air in some circumstances.” Once the Android device is compromised, the hackers can avoid detection and access the full system including admin privileges, extracting sensitive information, and other malicious action. The vulnerabilities in question are: CVE-2019-10539 (Compromising WLAN) CVE-2019-10540 (WLAN into Modem issue) CVE-2019-10538 (Modem into Linux Kernel issue) Qualcomm published an advisory for the following chipsets: "IPQ8074, MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9640, MDM9650, MSM8996AU, QCA6174A, QCA6574, QCA6574AU, QCA6584, QCA8081, QCA9379, QCS404, QCS405, QCS605, Qualcomm 215, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 425, SD 427, SD 430, SD 435, SD 439 / SD 429, SD 450, SD 625, SD 632, SD 636, SD 665, SD 675, SD 712 / SD 710 / SD 670, SD 730, SD 820, SD 820A, SD 835, SD 845 / SD 850, SD 855, SD 8CX, SDA660, SDM439, SDM630, SDM660, SDX20, SDX24, SXR1130" Qualcomm released patches in June and notified OEMs, including Google and Samsung, though researchers have elected not to disclose full technical details until Android phones receive their patch updates. Google just released the security patch yesterday in its Android Security Bulletin.

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About the Author

Craig Petronella, CEO and Founder of Petronella Technology Group
CEO, Founder & AI Architect, Petronella Technology Group

Craig Petronella founded Petronella Technology Group in 2002 and has spent more than 30 years working at the intersection of cybersecurity, AI, compliance, and digital forensics. He holds the CMMC Registered Practitioner credential (RP-1372) issued by the Cyber AB, is an NC Licensed Digital Forensics Examiner (License #604180-DFE), and completed MIT Professional Education programs in AI, Blockchain, and Cybersecurity. Craig also holds CompTIA Security+, CCNA, and Hyperledger certifications.

He is an Amazon #1 Best-Selling Author of 15+ books on cybersecurity and compliance, host of the Encrypted Ambition podcast (95+ episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon), and a cybersecurity keynote speaker with 200+ engagements at conferences, law firms, and corporate boardrooms. Craig serves as Contributing Editor for Cybersecurity at NC Triangle Attorney at Law Magazine and is a guest lecturer at NCCU School of Law. He has served as a digital forensics expert witness in federal and state court cases involving cybercrime, cryptocurrency fraud, SIM-swap attacks, and data breaches.

Under his leadership, Petronella Technology Group has served 2,500+ clients, maintained a zero-breach record among compliant clients, earned a BBB A+ rating every year since 2003, and been featured as a cybersecurity authority on CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX, and WRAL. The company leverages SOC 2 Type II certified platforms and specializes in AI implementation, managed cybersecurity, CMMC/HIPAA/SOC 2 compliance, and digital forensics for businesses across the United States.

CMMC-RP NC Licensed DFE MIT Certified CompTIA Security+ Expert Witness 15+ Books
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