CVE-2017-18135 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Android before security patch level 2018-04-05 on Qualcomm Snapdragon Mobile MDM9650, MDM9655, SD 450, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 835, SD 845, SD 850, in the Wireless Data Service (WDS) module, a buffer overflow can occur.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/24/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-18135 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Wireless Data Service module of Qualcomm Snapdragon mobile chipsets. This issue affects multiple generations of Snapdragon processors including the MDM9650, MDM9655, SD 450, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 835, SD 845, and SD 850 platforms. The vulnerability exists in the WDS module which handles wireless data communication services, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to exploit mobile device communication protocols. The flaw manifests specifically in Android versions prior to the security patch level of April 5, 2018, indicating a window of exposure that allowed malicious actors to potentially leverage this weakness in the field. The buffer overflow condition occurs when the WDS module processes malformed or specially crafted data packets, creating an opportunity for arbitrary code execution within the device's communication subsystem.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the WDS module's data handling routines. When the module receives network data intended for wireless communication services, insufficient validation occurs to ensure that incoming data fits within allocated memory buffers. This memory management deficiency allows an attacker to craft malicious data packets that exceed the designated buffer boundaries, causing memory corruption that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which addresses heap-based buffer overflow scenarios. The flaw operates at a low system level within the Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset architecture, making it particularly dangerous as it can potentially bypass standard operating system security measures and execute code with elevated privileges typically reserved for system-level processes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption, presenting significant risks to mobile device security and user privacy. Attackers could potentially exploit this buffer overflow to gain unauthorized access to sensitive device information, execute malicious payloads, or establish persistent backdoors within affected mobile platforms. The widespread deployment of affected Snapdragon chipsets across numerous Android devices means that the potential attack surface is extensive, encompassing smartphones, tablets, and other mobile communication devices. The vulnerability's presence in wireless data service modules also raises concerns about network-level attacks that could compromise device-to-network communications, potentially allowing for man-in-the-middle attacks or unauthorized network access. This weakness directly relates to ATT&CK technique T1059, which involves the execution of malicious code, and T1068, which describes privilege escalation through exploitation of system vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-18135 primarily focus on applying the appropriate security patches released by Qualcomm and device manufacturers. Organizations and users must ensure that all affected devices receive the Android security update released on April 5, 2018, which addresses the buffer overflow condition within the WDS module. Device manufacturers should prioritize the deployment of these patches across all affected Snapdragon platform variants, particularly those that have not yet received timely updates. Network administrators should also consider monitoring for suspicious network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, though the nature of this vulnerability makes network-based detection challenging. Additional protective measures include implementing network segmentation to limit exposure, deploying mobile threat defense solutions that can detect anomalous communication patterns, and maintaining awareness of related vulnerabilities in the Snapdragon chipset ecosystem. The remediation process requires careful consideration of device compatibility and update deployment schedules, particularly in enterprise environments where device management and security policies must account for the specific patch requirements of affected hardware platforms.