CVE-2017-18311 in Snapdragon Automobile
Summary
by MITRE
XPU Master privilege escalation is possible due to improper access control of unused configuration xPU ports where unused configuration ports are open in Snapdragon Automobile, Snapdragon Mobile, Snapdragon Wear in version MDM9607, MDM9635M, MDM9640, MDM9645, MDM9650, MDM9655, 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 625, SD 650/52, SD 810, SD 820, SD 820A, SD 835, SDA660, SDM429, SDM439, SDM630, SDM632, SDM636, SDM660, Snapdragon_High_Med_2016.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/03/2020
This privilege escalation vulnerability exists within Qualcomm Snapdragon automotive and mobile platform systems where unused configuration ports remain improperly accessible. The flaw stems from inadequate access control mechanisms that leave configuration xPU ports open even when not actively in use, creating persistent attack vectors for malicious actors. These vulnerable platforms include multiple generations of Snapdragon chipsets such as MDM9607, MDM9635M, and various MSM8909W, SD 210, SD 410, SD 615, SD 810, and SDM630 series processors across automotive, mobile, and wearable device categories.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the xPU (execution processor unit) subsystem where configuration ports that should be closed or secured when not in active use remain accessible to unauthorized processes. This represents a fundamental failure in the principle of least privilege and proper resource isolation within the hardware security model. The configuration ports serve as administrative interfaces that typically require specific authorization levels to access, yet they remain open to processes that should not possess such privileges. This misconfiguration allows attackers to escalate privileges from standard user-level processes to system-level administrative access through manipulation of these exposed interfaces.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple device categories including automotive infotainment systems, mobile devices, and wearable technology platforms. Attackers can leverage this weakness to gain unauthorized access to system resources, potentially enabling data exfiltration, system manipulation, or further exploitation of other vulnerabilities within the platform. The scope of affected devices spans from entry-level processors like SD 205 to high-end chipsets such as SD 835 and SDM630, indicating a widespread vulnerability across Qualcomm's product portfolio. This privilege escalation capability directly violates security principles established in the Common Weakness Enumeration framework under CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper port closure mechanisms during system initialization and runtime, ensuring that unused configuration ports remain secured through hardware-level controls. Device manufacturers should enforce strict access control policies that prevent unauthorized processes from accessing administrative interfaces, while also implementing runtime monitoring to detect and prevent unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers local privilege escalation through improper access control, and represents a critical security gap that requires immediate attention from both chipset manufacturers and end-user device vendors to prevent exploitation in real-world scenarios.