CVE-2017-18073 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Android before security patch level 2018-04-05 on Qualcomm Snapdragon Automobile, Snapdragon Mobile, and Snapdragon Wear MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9650, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 820, SD 820A, SD 835, the HLOS can gain access to unauthorized memory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/24/2020
This vulnerability represents a critical memory access flaw in Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets that affects Android devices released before the 2018-04-05 security patch. The issue resides within the Hypervisor Level Operating System HLOS component which governs memory management and access controls in these automotive and mobile platforms. The vulnerability allows unauthorized access to memory regions that should be protected from normal operating system processes, creating a significant escalation path for potential attackers who could exploit this weakness to gain deeper system access. The affected hardware platforms include multiple Snapdragon variants such as MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9650, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 820, SD 820A, and SD 835, indicating a broad impact across Qualcomm's automotive and mobile processor portfolio.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate memory protection mechanisms within the HLOS layer, which fails to properly enforce memory access controls between different privilege levels. This weakness enables malicious code running at lower privilege levels to potentially access memory regions reserved for higher privilege operations or other secure processes. The vulnerability manifests as a failure in the memory management unit's ability to maintain proper isolation boundaries, allowing unauthorized memory access that violates fundamental security principles of operating system design. According to CWE classification, this corresponds to CWE-284: Improper Access Control, which specifically addresses insufficient access control mechanisms that allow unauthorized access to resources. The flaw essentially creates a pathway for privilege escalation attacks where attackers can bypass normal memory protection boundaries and access sensitive system memory.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe for automotive and mobile environments where these Snapdragon chipsets are deployed. In automotive applications, this weakness could potentially allow attackers to access vehicle control systems or sensitive data processing components, creating safety and security risks for connected vehicles. Mobile device users face risks of unauthorized access to personal data, potential system compromise, and escalation of privileges to gain root access to their devices. The vulnerability's exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistent backdoor access. Attackers leveraging this flaw could potentially install malware, access encrypted data, or manipulate system functions without detection, making it particularly dangerous in environments where device security is paramount.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patch deployment through the 2018-04-05 security update which addresses the memory access control issues in the HLOS component. Organizations should implement comprehensive device management policies to ensure all affected Snapdragon-based devices receive the security patches promptly. Additionally, network monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect potential exploitation attempts through anomalous memory access patterns or privilege escalation activities. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, which describes methods attackers use to gain elevated privileges through system weaknesses. Device manufacturers should also consider implementing additional runtime protections and memory integrity checks as supplementary defenses against similar vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments of embedded systems and automotive platforms should be conducted to identify and remediate similar memory access control weaknesses before they can be exploited in the field.