CVE-2017-18312 in Snapdragon Automobile
Summary
by MITRE
While accessing SafeSwitch services, third party can manipulate a given device and perform unauthorized operation due to lack of checking of same state transitions in Snapdragon Automobile, Snapdragon Mobile in version MSM8996AU, SD 410/12, SD 617, SD 650/52, SD 810, SD 820, SD 820A
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/03/2020
This vulnerability resides in the Snapdragon automotive and mobile platform ecosystems where the SafeSwitch service fails to properly validate state transitions during device operations. The flaw affects multiple Snapdragon generations including MSM8996AU, SD 410/12, SD 617, SD 650/52, SD 810, SD 820, and SD 820A chipsets. The root cause stems from insufficient input validation and state management within the SafeSwitch service implementation, creating a pathway for unauthorized device manipulation. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-362, which addresses race conditions and improper state handling in security-critical systems, and represents a significant weakness in the automotive cybersecurity framework.
The technical exploitation occurs when third-party entities can manipulate device states through improper validation of service transitions. Without proper state checking mechanisms, attackers can potentially bypass legitimate operational sequences and execute unauthorized commands or operations on affected devices. This weakness specifically impacts the automotive domain where vehicle systems rely on secure state management for critical operations. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic improper access control issue where the system fails to enforce proper authorization checks during state transitions, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the device behavior through carefully crafted service calls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across automotive and mobile environments where Snapdragon chipsets are deployed. Vehicle manufacturers and mobile device producers using these chipsets face potential risks including unauthorized access to vehicle control systems, manipulation of critical automotive functions, and possible data compromise. The vulnerability affects systems where state transitions are critical for security operations, potentially allowing attackers to gain control over vehicle systems that should remain protected from external manipulation. This represents a significant concern for automotive cybersecurity frameworks and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1072, which covers software deployment and manipulation of system services.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing robust state validation mechanisms within the SafeSwitch service and related automotive control systems. System designers must ensure proper input validation and enforce strict authorization checks before allowing state transitions to occur. Updates to firmware and software components should address the missing validation checks and implement proper state transition controls. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their automotive and mobile platforms to identify similar state management vulnerabilities and apply patches or workarounds. The remediation efforts should align with automotive security standards and frameworks such as ISO 21448 (SOTIF) and ISO 26262 to ensure comprehensive protection against state transition attacks.