CVE-2017-18280 in Snapdragon Automobile
Summary
by MITRE
In Snapdragon (Automobile, Mobile, Wear) in version MDM9607, MSM8909W, MSM8996AU, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 425, SD 427, SD 430, SD 435, SD 450, SD 617, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 820, SD 820A, SD 835, SDM429, SDM439, SDM632, Snapdragon_High_Med_2016, when a Trusted Application has opened the SPI/I2C interface to a particular device, it is possible for another Trusted Application to read the data on this open interface by calling the SPI/I2C read function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/17/2023
This vulnerability exists within Qualcomm's Snapdragon automotive, mobile, and wearable chipsets affecting numerous models including MDM9607, MSM8909W, MSM8996AU, and various SD series processors. The flaw represents a critical breakdown in the Trusted Application security model where proper interface isolation has been compromised. The vulnerability stems from insufficient access controls within the SPI/I2C interface management system, allowing unauthorized Trusted Applications to exploit already opened communication channels.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the fundamental principle of secure multi-application environments where Trusted Applications should maintain strict isolation from one another. When one Trusted Application opens an SPI or I2C interface to interact with hardware components, the system should prevent other Trusted Applications from accessing the same interface without proper authorization. However, the flaw allows direct data read operations from the interface by any other Trusted Application that calls the SPI/I2C read function, effectively bypassing the intended security boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond typical application-level security breaches to potentially compromise automotive and mobile device security systems. In automotive contexts, this could enable unauthorized access to vehicle control systems, sensor data, or communication protocols that are critical for vehicle operation and safety. Mobile device implications include potential exposure of sensitive data from hardware components such as secure elements, cryptographic processors, or specialized sensors. The vulnerability particularly affects systems where multiple Trusted Applications operate simultaneously, creating opportunities for data exfiltration or malicious interference.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and represents a failure in the principle of least privilege enforcement. The flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: Python) and T1547.001 (Registry Run Keys/Startup Folder) in attack scenarios where malicious applications might leverage this weakness to escalate privileges or access sensitive data. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited across multiple device generations, making it particularly dangerous for automotive and mobile ecosystems where device security is paramount.
Mitigation strategies must focus on implementing proper interface isolation mechanisms, enforcing strict access controls for SPI/I2C interfaces, and ensuring that Trusted Applications cannot directly access interfaces opened by other applications. System updates should include enhanced kernel-level controls for interface management, proper authentication mechanisms for interface access, and comprehensive monitoring of interface usage patterns. Device manufacturers should also implement runtime integrity checks and regular security audits to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure multi-application environments and proper compartmentalization in mobile and automotive security architectures, emphasizing the need for robust Trusted Application frameworks that prevent cross-application interface interference.