CVE-2017-18308 in Snapdragon Mobile
Summary
by MITRE
Modem segments are unlocked after authentication, leaving modem segments open to all in Snapdragon Mobile, Snapdragon Wear in version MDM9607, MSM8909W, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 425, SD 430
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/03/2023
The vulnerability described in CVE-2017-18308 represents a critical security flaw in Qualcomm Snapdragon mobile chipsets where modem segments remain unlocked even after successful authentication processes have been completed. This issue affects multiple Snapdragon variants including the MDM9607, MSM8909W, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 425, and SD 430 platforms, indicating a widespread problem across Qualcomm's mobile processor lineup. The flaw resides in the modem security architecture where authentication mechanisms fail to properly lock or secure modem segments following successful user or system authentication, creating persistent access points that remain available to unauthorized entities.
This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-284 which addresses improper access control, specifically where insufficient controls allow unauthorized access to protected resources. The technical implementation flaw occurs at the hardware security level where modem segments that should be secured after authentication remain accessible, essentially creating a backdoor that persists throughout the device's operational lifecycle. The authentication process appears to be incomplete or improperly implemented, failing to establish proper security boundaries that would normally be enforced after successful credential validation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching across mobile device security. Attackers who can exploit this weakness gain persistent access to modem functionality that should be restricted to authorized users or processes, potentially enabling them to intercept communications, manipulate network connections, or execute unauthorized commands on the device. This represents a fundamental failure in the device's security architecture that undermines the integrity of the entire mobile platform. The vulnerability affects devices running on these Qualcomm chipsets, which represent a significant portion of the mobile market, making the potential attack surface extremely large.
From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1068 which involves exploiting local system permissions and T1543 which covers creating or modifying system level modifications. The persistent nature of the unlocked modem segments provides attackers with continuous access that could be leveraged for advanced persistent threats or long-term surveillance operations. The vulnerability essentially removes the authentication barrier that should normally protect sensitive modem operations, allowing unauthorized access to critical communication functions that are fundamental to mobile device operation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate security gap and the underlying architectural flaw in the modem security implementation. Device manufacturers should implement firmware updates that properly enforce modem segment locking after authentication, ensuring that security boundaries are properly established and maintained. Additionally, system-level monitoring should be enhanced to detect unauthorized access patterns to modem segments, and security frameworks should be strengthened to prevent similar issues in future implementations. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper access control enforcement at all levels of the security architecture, from authentication through to resource protection, and underscores the necessity of comprehensive security testing that validates both authentication and access control mechanisms in mobile platform implementations.