CVE-2017-11088 in Snapdragon Mobile
Summary
by MITRE
Improper Input Validation in Linux io-prefetch in Snapdragon Mobile and Snapdragon Wear, A SQL injection vulnerability exists in versions MSM8909W, MSM8996AU, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 430, SD 450, SD 617, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 820, SD 835, SD 845.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/03/2020
The CVE-2017-11088 vulnerability represents a critical improper input validation flaw within the Linux io-prefetch component of Qualcomm's Snapdragon mobile and wearable chipsets. This vulnerability affects a wide range of Snapdragon SoC models including MSM8909W, MSM8996AU, SD 210/212/205, SD 430, SD 450, SD 617, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 820, SD 835, and SD 845. The flaw stems from inadequate validation of input parameters within the prefetch mechanism that handles I/O operations in the Linux kernel environment, creating a potential attack vector that could be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows for SQL injection attacks through malformed input data that bypasses normal validation checks within the io-prefetch subsystem. When the prefetch mechanism processes input data without proper sanitization, it can inadvertently execute malicious SQL commands against underlying database systems. This occurs because the input validation routines fail to properly filter or escape special characters that could alter the intended SQL query structure. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it exists at the kernel level within the hardware abstraction layer, making it difficult to detect and remediate through standard software updates alone.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability exposes devices running affected Snapdragon chipsets to significant security risks including unauthorized data access, data corruption, and potential system compromise. Attackers could leverage this weakness to manipulate database contents, extract sensitive information, or gain elevated privileges within the device's operating environment. The impact extends beyond individual device security as many of these chipsets are used in smartphones, tablets, wearables, and IoT devices that may contain sensitive user data or operate in critical environments. The vulnerability affects both mobile and wearable devices, indicating a broad attack surface that could potentially impact millions of connected devices globally.
The flaw aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities, and represents a classic example of improper input validation that violates fundamental security principles. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability maps to several ATT&CK tactics including privilege escalation and defense evasion, as it could be used to gain deeper system access and potentially hide malicious activities. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates from device manufacturers, network segmentation to limit potential attack vectors, and enhanced monitoring of database activities on affected devices. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the importance of robust input validation at all levels of system architecture, particularly in embedded systems where hardware-level components interact with software components. The affected Snapdragon chipsets require comprehensive security assessments and potentially hardware-level patches to address this fundamental validation flaw that could be exploited across multiple device categories and operating environments.