CVE-2017-18139 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Android before security patch level 2018-04-05 on Qualcomm Snapdragon Mobile and Snapdragon Wear MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9635M, MDM9640, MDM9645, MDM9650, MDM9655, MSM8909W, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 400, SD 410/12, SD 425, SD 430, SD 450, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 617, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 808, SD 810, SD 820, SD 835, SD 845, SD 850, a buffer overflow vulnerability may potentially exist while making an IMS call.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/24/2020
This vulnerability exists within the Qualcomm Snapdragon mobile platform implementations affecting various chipsets including MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9635M, MDM9640, MDM9645, MDM9650, MDM9655, MSM8909W, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 400, SD 410/12, SD 425, SD 430, SD 450, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 617, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 808, SD 810, SD 820, SD 835, SD 845, and SD 850. The flaw manifests during IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) call processing operations, representing a critical security gap that could be exploited by malicious actors to compromise device functionality. This buffer overflow vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which describes a condition where a program writes data past the end of a fixed-length buffer, and potentially CWE-122 which deals with insufficient checking of buffer bounds. The vulnerability specifically impacts the telephony subsystem where IMS calls are processed, creating a potential attack surface for remote code execution or denial of service conditions.
The technical implementation flaw occurs when handling incoming or outgoing IMS calls, where insufficient input validation and buffer boundary checks allow maliciously crafted call data to overwrite adjacent memory regions. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, particularly when exploited through telephony protocols. The buffer overflow can potentially be triggered through specially crafted SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) messages or IMS signaling data that exceeds expected buffer limits during call setup or management operations. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on the affected device, potentially gaining root access to the mobile platform and compromising the entire device security posture.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple device compromise as it affects a broad range of Qualcomm-based smartphones and tablets that rely on these chipsets for cellular functionality. The vulnerability's presence in multiple generations of Snapdragon chipsets means that numerous devices manufactured between 2015 and 2018 could be affected, creating a substantial attack surface for threat actors. Mobile devices using these vulnerable chipsets could be exploited for various malicious activities including unauthorized access to personal data, surveillance operations, or as part of larger attack campaigns targeting mobile networks. The vulnerability particularly impacts enterprise and government users who rely on secure communication channels, as IMS calls are commonly used for business communications and secure voice services. Organizations running mobile device management systems would face significant risks if their devices were compromised through this vulnerability, potentially leading to data breaches or unauthorized network access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of security patches provided by Qualcomm and device manufacturers. The affected devices should be updated to security patch level 2018-04-05 or later to address the buffer overflow conditions in the IMS call handling subsystem. Network administrators should implement monitoring of IMS signaling traffic for anomalous patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Device manufacturers should consider implementing additional input validation measures and runtime protections for telephony subsystems. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices in mobile platform components and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of telecommunications protocols. Organizations should also consider network segmentation and traffic monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of keeping mobile platforms updated with security patches, particularly for components handling network communications and voice services. The issue also underscores the necessity of implementing defense-in-depth strategies for mobile security, as vulnerabilities in core platform components can have cascading effects on overall device security.