CVE-2017-18316 in Snapdragon Automobile
Summary
by MITRE
Secure application can access QSEE kernel memory through Ontario kernel driver in Snapdragon Automobile, Snapdragon Mobile and Snapdragon Wear in versions MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9650, MSM8996AU, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 425, SD 430, SD 450, SD 625, SD 820, SD 820A, SD 835, SD 845, SD 850, SDA660, SDA845, SDX24, SXR1130.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/03/2020
This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in Qualcomm's Snapdragon automotive and mobile platform ecosystems where a secure application can access QSEE kernel memory through the Ontario kernel driver. The issue affects multiple Snapdragon chipsets including the MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9650, MSM8996AU, and various SD series processors from SD 210 through SD 850, along with SDA660, SDA845, SDX24, and SXR1130. The vulnerability stems from improper memory access controls within the Ontario kernel driver that interfaces with the Qualcomm Secure Execution Environment kernel, creating an unauthorized access path that allows potentially malicious applications to read sensitive kernel memory regions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a privilege escalation mechanism where a secure application running in a trusted execution environment can leverage the Ontario kernel driver to access QSEE kernel memory spaces that should remain protected and isolated. This occurs through improper validation of memory access requests and inadequate boundary checking within the driver implementation. The flaw essentially creates a pathway for an attacker to bypass the normal kernel memory protection mechanisms that separate secure and non-secure execution environments. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-284 Access Control and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 Privilege Escalation, where an adversary gains elevated privileges through kernel-level access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows attackers to potentially extract sensitive cryptographic keys, authentication credentials, and other confidential data stored in the QSEE kernel memory. This access could enable full compromise of the device's security architecture, allowing attackers to bypass device encryption, extract secure boot keys, or gain persistent access to protected system components. The vulnerability affects automotive systems where vehicle security is paramount, making it particularly concerning for connected car platforms and autonomous vehicle systems. Attackers could exploit this to gain root access to the device, potentially leading to remote code execution or complete system compromise.
Mitigation strategies include immediate firmware updates from device manufacturers that patch the Ontario kernel driver implementation to properly enforce memory access controls and boundary checks. Organizations should implement the latest security patches and firmware updates provided by Qualcomm and device vendors. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary secure application functionality, monitoring for suspicious memory access patterns, and implementing runtime protection mechanisms that can detect and prevent unauthorized kernel memory access attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper kernel memory management and access control enforcement in trusted execution environments, highlighting the need for comprehensive security testing of kernel drivers in automotive and mobile platforms. This flaw represents a significant risk to device security and requires immediate attention from both manufacturers and end users to prevent potential exploitation.