CVE-2017-18310 in Snapdragon Automobile
Summary
by MITRE
ClientEnv exposes services 0-32 to HLOS in Snapdragon Automobile, Snapdragon Mobile, Snapdragon Wear in version MSM8909W, MSM8996AU, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 410/12, SD 425, SD 427, SD 430, SD 435, SD 450, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 617, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 810, SD 820, SD 820A, SD 835, SD 845, SDA660, SDM429, SDM439, SDM630, SDM632, SDM636, SDM660, Snapdragon_High_Med_2016
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/03/2023
This vulnerability involves a critical security flaw in Qualcomm's Snapdragon automotive and mobile platforms where the ClientEnv component improperly exposes services numbered 0 through 32 to the Hypervisor Level Operating System HLOS. The affected hardware includes numerous Snapdragon SoC variants spanning from the MSM8909W to the SDM660 and SDA660 processors, creating a widespread attack surface across automotive and mobile device ecosystems. The exposure occurs at the hardware abstraction layer level where client environment services that should remain isolated are inadvertently made accessible to the hypervisor, creating a potential privilege escalation vector.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate privilege separation mechanisms within the Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset architecture. When services 0-32 are exposed to HLOS, they effectively provide unauthorized access to critical system functions that should only be available to trusted hypervisor components or secure execution environments. This exposure creates a pathway for malicious actors to potentially manipulate core system services, access sensitive data, or escalate privileges within the device's security framework. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-276 which addresses improper privilege management and CWE-250 which covers execution with unnecessary privileges, both of which are fundamental security principles violated in this scenario.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends significantly across automotive and mobile device security domains. Automotive systems utilizing Snapdragon platforms become vulnerable to attacks that could compromise vehicle safety systems, infotainment controls, or even critical driving functions. Mobile device users face potential data breaches, unauthorized access to personal information, and possible system compromise through exploitation of the exposed services. The vulnerability affects devices that rely on Qualcomm's secure execution environments and hypervisor technologies, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise and automotive contexts where security is paramount. Attackers could leverage this exposure to perform techniques categorized under ATT&CK matrix tactic T1068 which covers exploit for privilege escalation, and T1059 which addresses command and scripting interpreters.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention from device manufacturers and system administrators. The primary recommendation involves implementing firmware updates from Qualcomm that properly isolate the exposed services and restrict access to the HLOS component. System architects should consider additional security layers such as hardware-based memory protection, secure boot mechanisms, and runtime integrity checks to prevent unauthorized access to exposed service interfaces. Organizations deploying affected Snapdragon platforms must conduct thorough security assessments to identify potential exploitation vectors and implement network segmentation where applicable. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of adhering to security standards such as those outlined in NIST SP 800-145 for cloud security and ISO/IEC 27001 for information security management, which emphasize proper access control and privilege management as core security requirements.
This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure hardware design in modern computing environments where multiple security domains must maintain strict isolation boundaries. The exposure of services through ClientEnv represents a fundamental breakdown in the security architecture that affects millions of devices worldwide, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security testing and validation of hardware components before deployment in critical systems. Device manufacturers should implement robust security monitoring and incident response procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain compliance with industry security standards and regulatory requirements.