CVE-2017-18130 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 400, SD 425, SD 430, SD 450, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 617, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 808, SD 820, SD 820A, SD 835, SD 845, while playing an ASF file, a buffer over-read can potentially occur.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/24/2020
This vulnerability exists in Qualcomm Snapdragon automotive and mobile platform components affecting Android systems before the 2018-04-05 security patch. The flaw manifests specifically when processing ASF (Advanced Systems Format) media files through the multimedia subsystem, representing a classic buffer over-read condition that can lead to arbitrary code execution or system instability. The affected chipsets include MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9650, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 400, SD 425, SD 430, SD 450, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 617, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 808, SD 820, SD 820A, SD 835, and SD 845. This vulnerability falls under CWE-125, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions in software implementations. The technical implementation flaw occurs within the media decoding pipeline where insufficient bounds checking is performed on ASF file structures, particularly when parsing header information and stream data. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it can be triggered through legitimate media playback functionality, making it difficult to detect and prevent without proper input validation. The operational impact extends beyond simple system crashes, as this vulnerability can potentially allow attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, particularly given the automotive context where these chipsets are deployed. This represents a significant concern for automotive cybersecurity frameworks, as demonstrated by ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, where such vulnerabilities can be exploited to establish persistent access points. The buffer over-read condition specifically occurs when the media parser attempts to read data beyond the allocated buffer boundaries while processing ASF file metadata, creating opportunities for memory corruption that could be leveraged for privilege escalation attacks. This vulnerability aligns with the broader category of media processing exploits that have been documented in automotive cybersecurity threat models, particularly those targeting infotainment systems and connected vehicle platforms. The patching requirements for this vulnerability necessitate coordinated updates across multiple system components, including the operating system, media framework, and hardware-specific drivers, making it a complex remediation effort. Organizations deploying these automotive platforms should consider implementing network segmentation and access controls as additional defensive measures while awaiting official security patches. The vulnerability's presence in automotive environments particularly raises concerns about the potential for remote exploitation through connected vehicle services or over-the-air updates, making it a critical target for automotive security frameworks. This vulnerability demonstrates the intersection of mobile platform security with automotive cybersecurity, highlighting the need for comprehensive threat modeling that addresses both consumer and industrial use cases. The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate system compromise to potential safety implications in automotive environments where system reliability and security are paramount. Security professionals should monitor for exploitation attempts and consider implementing behavioral monitoring for unusual media processing activities that could indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process requires careful coordination between chipset vendors, operating system vendors, and automotive manufacturers to ensure complete coverage of all affected platforms. This vulnerability exemplifies the challenges faced by automotive cybersecurity teams in managing complex supply chains where multiple vendors contribute to the overall security posture of connected vehicles. The exploitation of such vulnerabilities in automotive platforms underscores the importance of robust security testing and validation processes, particularly for critical systems where failure could result in safety risks. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime protections and memory safety features that can detect and prevent buffer over-read conditions even in the absence of immediate patches. The vulnerability's classification as a buffer over-read directly relates to the principles of secure coding practices and input validation that are fundamental to preventing such memory corruption vulnerabilities in embedded systems.