CVE-2017-11004 in Snapdragon Automobile
Summary
by MITRE
A non-secure user may be able to access certain registers in snapdragon automobile, snapdragon mobile and snapdragon wear in versions IPQ8074, MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9635M, MDM9650, MDM9655, MSM8996AU, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 410/12, SD 425, SD 427, SD 430, SD 435, SD 439 / SD 429, SD 450, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 625, SD 632, SD 636, SD 650/52, SD 810, SD 820, SD 820A, SD 835, SDA660, SDM439, SDM630, SDM660, SDX24, Snapdragon_High_Med_2016.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11004 represents a critical security flaw in Qualcomm Snapdragon automotive and mobile platform implementations that allows unauthorized access to sensitive hardware registers. This vulnerability affects a broad range of Snapdragon chipsets including automotive platforms like IPQ8074 and mobile processors such as MSM8996AU, SDM439, and various SD series processors. The flaw stems from insufficient privilege checks and access controls within the hardware abstraction layer, creating a pathway for malicious actors to bypass normal security boundaries and directly interact with system registers that should remain protected from unauthorized userspace access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the kernel-level drivers and firmware components that manage hardware register access on Qualcomm's Snapdragon platforms. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain access to registers that control critical system functions including memory management unit settings, power management controls, and security-related configuration registers. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and enables potential privilege escalation from non-secure user contexts to privileged system operations. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which describes inadequate access control mechanisms, and demonstrates how hardware-level security controls can be bypassed through flawed software implementation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass potential system compromise and unauthorized control of critical automotive and mobile functions. In automotive environments utilizing Snapdragon platforms, attackers could potentially manipulate vehicle control systems, access diagnostic information, or disrupt safety-critical operations. The vulnerability affects platforms that are widely deployed in vehicles, smartphones, tablets, and wearable devices, creating a massive attack surface. Mobile platforms like those found in smartphones and tablets could see unauthorized access to cryptographic keys, user data, or system configuration parameters that would normally be protected from user-space applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate firmware updates from device manufacturers and system integrators, as Qualcomm has released patches addressing the specific register access controls. Organizations should implement comprehensive security assessments of their Snapdragon-based systems, particularly in automotive applications where the attack surface could compromise vehicle safety. The remediation process involves updating both the bootloader and kernel components to enforce proper privilege checking mechanisms and implement proper register access controls. Security teams should also consider deploying runtime monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized register access attempts and implement device hardening measures such as disabling unnecessary hardware interfaces and enforcing secure boot processes. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of hardware security in automotive and mobile environments and underscores the need for robust security controls at all levels of the system architecture.