CVE-2017-18294 in Snapdragon Automobile
Summary
by MITRE
While reading file class type from ELF header, a buffer overread may happen if the ELF file size is less than the size of ELF64 header size in Small Cell SoC, Snapdragon Automobile, Snapdragon Mobile, Snapdragon Wear in version FSM9055, MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9650, MSM8909W, MSM8996AU, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 425, SD 430, SD 450, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 820, SD 820A, SD 835, SD 845, SDA660, SDX20.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/30/2023
This vulnerability represents a critical buffer overread condition that occurs during ELF file processing within various Qualcomm Snapdragon SoC implementations. The flaw manifests when the system attempts to read the file class type from an ELF header without proper validation of the file size against the expected ELF64 header structure. This vulnerability affects multiple generations of Snapdragon automotive, mobile, and wearable processors, including the FSM9055, MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9650, MSM8909W, MSM8996AU, and numerous SD series processors. The root cause lies in insufficient bounds checking during the parsing of executable file formats, creating a scenario where the system reads beyond the allocated buffer boundaries when encountering malformed or truncated ELF files.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the improper validation of file size parameters during ELF header parsing operations. When the system encounters an ELF file that is smaller than the expected ELF64 header size, the parsing routine continues to read beyond the actual file boundaries, resulting in memory corruption and potential code execution. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which categorizes buffer overflows that occur when data is read beyond the bounds of a buffer. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in automotive and mobile environments where system integrity is paramount, as it could potentially be exploited by malicious actors to gain unauthorized access to system resources or execute arbitrary code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple domains within the affected Snapdragon SoC ecosystem. In automotive applications using the FSM9055 and MDM9206 processors, this vulnerability could potentially compromise vehicle systems that rely on secure boot processes and executable file validation. Mobile devices utilizing MSM8909W, MSM8996AU, and other affected processors may experience system instability or unauthorized code execution when processing maliciously crafted ELF files. The vulnerability affects both the bootloader and runtime environments, making it particularly dangerous as it can potentially be exploited during system initialization or while executing legitimate applications that process external files. This represents a significant risk to the integrity of the entire system security architecture.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper bounds checking mechanisms during ELF file processing. System vendors should implement comprehensive input validation that verifies file sizes against expected header structures before attempting to parse ELF metadata. The recommended approach involves implementing a size validation routine that ensures the file contains sufficient data to accommodate the ELF64 header structure before any reading operations commence. Additionally, memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries and address space layout randomization should be enhanced to provide additional layers of defense. Organizations should also consider implementing secure file processing protocols that validate file integrity before execution, and establish monitoring systems to detect anomalous file processing behavior that could indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of robust input validation in embedded systems and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and script injection methods that could potentially leverage such buffer overread conditions for privilege escalation.